The PancreasThe Pancreas

By: Dana Fatterusso

Susie Papakanakis

The The PancreasPancreas

By: Dana Fatterusso

& Susie Papakanakis

What is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is an organ that lies within the abdominopelvic cavity between the stomach

and small intestine. Secretes digestive enzymes and hormones that control blood

sugar levels.

It has two functions:

•Endocrine

- Secretes insulin and glucagons into the bloodstream

•Exocrine

- Includes the acinar and epithelial cells which line the pancreas ducts.

Physical Characteristics

Slender

Pail (Pinkish Gray)

Lumpy Consistency

About 15cm in length

Has a head, body, and tail

The head is closest to the duodenum (first part of small intestines)

The body and tail are reaching toward the spleen

Hormones of the Pancreas

Beta Cells

• Beta Cells have channels in their plasma membrane that serve as glucose detectors. They secrete insulin in response to a rising level of circulating glucose.

Alpha Cells

• Alpha Cells secrete glucagon.

Delta Cells

• Delta Cells secrete somatostatin.

Gamma Cells

• Gamma Cells secrete a pancreatic polypeptide, which reduces appetite.

Molecular Description

Exocrine Tissue Endocrine Tissue

Organs That Interact With the

PancreasLiver

Insulin and glucagon secreted by the enzymes in the pancreas are released into the bloodstream. It lowers the blood sugar level and increases the amount of stored carbohydrates in the liver.

Stomach

The pancreas helps neutralize chyme and break down proteins, fat and starch. Chyme is passed from the stomach to the duodenum. If the pancreas is not working properly in neutralizing and breaking these substances down, the body is prone to starvation.

Small Intestines

The pancreas secretes secretin which causes bicarbonate to be released into the small intestines. This happens in order to neutralize the harmful acid coming from the stomach into the pancreas. The enzymes secreted by the pancreas for the small intestines enter the small intestines via the pancreatic duct.

Diseases of the Pancreas:

Pancreatitis •Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas

caused by gallstones or alcohol abuse.

•This disease can also be caused by injury, infection, or certain medications.

•The treatment for pancreatitis is pain medication and fluids inserted through the veins. This

treatment is continued until swelling and pain go away.

More DiseasesDiabetes (two

types)• The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas’ insulin-producing cells (beta cells). Without insulin to move glucose into cells, blood glucose levels become excessively high, a condition known as hyperglycemia. Since the body cannot utilize the sugar, it coverts into urine and is lost. •Weakness, weight loss, and excessive hunger and thirst are many of the consequences. Lifelong insulin injections are required to control blood sugar.

•The pancreas loses the ability to appropriately produce and release insulin. The body also becomes resistant to insulin, and blood sugar rises. Eventually, the cycle of elevated glucose further impairs and possibly destroys beta cells, thereby stopping insulin production completely and causing full-blown diabetes.

More Diseases?Islet Cell Tumor

•The hormone-producing cells of The hormone-producing cells of the pancreas multiply abnormally, the pancreas multiply abnormally,

creating a benign or cancerous creating a benign or cancerous tumor.  tumor.  

•These tumors produce excess These tumors produce excess amounts of hormones and then amounts of hormones and then release them into the blood. release them into the blood.

•Gastrinomas, glucagonomas, and Gastrinomas, glucagonomas, and insulinomas are examples of islet insulinomas are examples of islet

cell tumors. cell tumors.

Websites•http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/showFullWatermarked.html/P540097-Human_Pancreas-SPL.jpg?id=805400097

•http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pancreas/histo_endo.html

•http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html?id=805400059

•http://carondelet.net/Cancer/Pancreas/Pancrease.jpg

•http://odlarmed.com/?p=815

•http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-pancreas

•http://www.healthcentral.com/common/images/1/17194_10458_5.jpg

•http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/diabetes-type2.jpg

•http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/type-1-diabetes/print.html

•http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4743

•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreas