L7 Pancreas

Pancreas location

Abdominal organ behind stomach.

Pancreas length

15 cm.

Pancreas divisions

Head, body, tail.

Pancreatic head location

Curvature of duodenum.

Pancreatic body characteristic

Longest part.

Pancreatic tail location

Near spleen.

Main pancreatic duct

Joins common bile duct forming hepatopancreatic ampulla.

Hepatopancreatic ampulla opening

Duodenum.

Accessory pancreatic duct

Also drains into duodenum.

Exocrine pancreas definition

Secretes fluids onto epithelial surface.

Acinar cells function

Secrete digestive enzymes (proteases, amylase, lipase).

Duct cells function

Secrete bicarbonate (HCO3−).

Endocrine pancreas component

Islets of Langerhans.

Alpha cells (α) product

Glucagon.

Beta cells (β) product

Insulin.

Delta cells (δ) product

Somatostatin.

PP cells product

Pancreatic polypeptide.

Pancreatic polypeptide function

Regulates gastric secretions.

Pancreatic juice pH

~8.

Pancreatic juice components

Bicarbonate, digestive enzymes.

Proteases secretion form

Zymogens (e.g., trypsinogen).

Amylase function

Breaks down carbohydrates.

Lipase function

Breaks down fats.

Nucleases function

Break down nucleic acids.

CCK source

Duodenal enteroendocrine cells.

CCK stimulus

Chyme entering duodenum.

CCK action 1

Stimulates enzyme secretion from acinar cells.

CCK action 2

Stimulates gallbladder contraction.

CCK action 3

Relaxes hepatopancreatic sphincter.

Secretin source

Duodenal enteroendocrine cells.

Secretin stimulus

Acidic chyme.

Secretin action 1

Stimulates bicarbonate secretion.

Secretin action 2

Increases bile production.

Vagal nerve pancreatic effect

Weak gallbladder contractions.

Insulin source

Beta cells.

Insulin liver action 1

Promotes glycogenesis.

Insulin liver action 2

Inhibits glycogenolysis.

Insulin muscle action 1

Increases glucose uptake.

Insulin muscle action 2

Increases glycogen synthesis.

Insulin adipose action 1

Increases glucose uptake.

Insulin adipose action 2

Increases fat storage.

Insulin release trigger

High blood glucose.

Glucagon source

Alpha cells.

Glucagon liver action 1

Promotes glycogenolysis.

Glucagon liver action 2

Promotes gluconeogenesis.

Glucagon adipose action

Promotes lipolysis.

Glucagon release trigger

Low blood glucose.

Somatostatin function

Inhibits insulin and glucagon release.

Insulin-glucagon relationship

Counter-regulatory hormones.

Insulin feedback

Inhibits glucagon release.

Glucagon feedback

Inhibited by insulin.

Parasympathetic insulin effect

Stimulates release.

Parasympathetic neurotransmitter

Acetylcholine.

Sympathetic glucagon effect

Stimulates release.

Sympathetic neurotransmitter

Noradrenaline.

Adrenaline glucose effect

Promotes glycogenolysis.

Cortisol glucose effect 1

Promotes gluconeogenesis.

Cortisol glucose effect 2

Reduces glucose utilization.

Beta cell glucose sensor

GLUT2 transporter.

Beta cell glucose phosphorylation

Glucokinase.

Beta cell insulin secretion mechanism

ATP closes K+ channels → depolarization → Ca2+ influx.

Glucagon receptor type

GPCR.

Glucagon receptor pathway

Adenylate cyclase → cAMP → PKA.

Insulin receptor type

Receptor tyrosine kinase.

Insulin receptor action

Phosphorylates intracellular proteins.

Diabetes mellitus prevalence

2% western population.

Type 1 diabetes cause

Autoimmune beta cell destruction.

Type 1 diabetes treatment

Insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes cause

Insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes treatment

Diet, exercise, medications.

Gestational diabetes characteristic

Occurs during pregnancy.

Diabetes insipidus cause

ADH deficiency or insensitivity.

Diabetes insipidus symptoms

Excessive thirst, dilute urine.

Insulin administration route

Injection (not oral).

Insulin not oral reason 1

Destroyed by stomach acid.

Insulin not oral reason 2

Large molecule, not absorbed.

Insulin treatment risks

Hypoglycemia, weight gain, neuropathy.

Hyperinsulinism cause

Pancreatic benign tumor.

Hyperinsulinism symptoms

Low blood glucose, anxiety, sweating.

Pancreatitis causes

Gallstones, alcohol, high triglycerides.

Pancreatitis symptoms

Severe inflammation and pain.

Pancreatitis mortality

100,000 deaths worldwide.

Pancreatic cancer types

Exocrine (85%), neuroendocrine.

Exocrine cancer types

Adenocarcinoma (most), acinar cell carcinoma (5%).

Adenocarcinoma location

Pancreas head.

Acinar cell carcinoma effect

Increased enzyme production.

Neuroendocrine tumor types

Functioning or non-functioning.

Pancreatic cancer prognosis

Often late diagnosis, low survival.