Pancreas Vocab

Acinus/Acini

cells that produce pancreatic juice that is composed of enzymes to help digest fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids

Adenocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of glandular tissue

Ampulla of Vater

small opening in the duodenum in which the pancreatic and common bile duct enter to release secretions that aid in digestion

Anlage

an organ in its earliest stage of development

Atresia

absence of a normal body opening; occlusion; closure

Atrophic

showing signs of tissue degradation or breakdown

Carboxypeptidase

pancreatic enzyme necessary for protein digestion

Chymotrypsin

one of the main pancreatic proteases; it is activated (from chymotrypsinogen) by trypsin

Courvoisier's Sign

enlargement of the gallbladder caused by a slow, progressive obstruction of the distal common bile duct from an external mass such as adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Cullen's Sign

ecchymosis in umbilical area, seen with pancreatitis

Cystadenoma

benign tumor of cystic and glandular components

Cystadenocarcinoma

malignant tumor containing fluid-filled sacs and glandular tissue

Diabetes Mellitus

insulin is not secreted adequately or tissues are resistant to its effects

Duct of Santorini

small accessory duct of the pancreas found in the head of the gland

Duct of Wirsung

largest duct of the pancreas that drains the tail, body, and head of the gland; it joins the common bile duct to enter the duodenum through the ampulla of Vater

Edematous

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues resulting in swelling

Ecchymosis

bruising

Endocrine

produces and secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream with a ductal system

Exocrine

produces and transports pancreatic juice via ducts to aid in digestion

Gastrin

digestive hormone that stimulates sustained secretion of gastric juice from the stomach

Glucagon

hormone secreted by the pancreatic alpha cells that causes the release of glucose to meet the immediate energy needs of the body

Grey Turner's Sign

discoloration over the flanks suggesting intra-abdominal bleeding

Hyperinsulinism

the condition of excessive secretion of insulin in the bloodstream

Hyperlipidemia

excessive fat in the blood; cholesterol

Hypoglycemia

abnormally low level of sugar in the blood

Icterus

yellowing, also known as jaundice

Ileus

the partial or complete blockage of the small and/or large intestine

Insulin

hormone secreted by beta cells that functions to increase the uptake of glucose and amino acids by most body cells

Islets of Langerhans

groups of alpha, beta, and delta endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce insulin

Lipase

fat digesting enzyme

Neoplasm

new growth

Pancreatic Ascites

occurs when the pancreatic pseudocyst ruptures into the abdomen; free-floating pancreatic enzymes are very dangerous to surrounding structures

Pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

Pancreatic Pesudocyst

an abnormal of dilated cavity resembling a true cyst but not lined with epithelium

Pancreozymin

hormone stimulating pancreatic enzyme secretion

Phlegmon

the peripancreatic fluid collection that results from the inflammation of the pancreas

Secretin

digestive hormone that stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate to neutralize acid in duodenum

Serum Amylase

pancreatic enzyme that is elevated during pancreatitis

Sphincter of Oddi

muscle surrounding the ampulla of vater that controls the flow of pancreatic juice from the pancreas and bile from the biliary tract into the duodenum

Trypsin

an enzyme from the pancreas that digests proteins in the small intestine

Uncinate Process

posteromedial projection of the pancreas head that lies directly posterior to the superior mesenteric vein and directly anterior to the inferior vena cava or in some cases, due to its size, the abdominal aorta

Urinary Amylase

increased levels suggest pancreatic dysfunction