What are the roles and functions of the pancreas?

The pancreas is an important part of the human body. The pancreas is divided into exocrine glands and endocrine glands. Pancreatic juice is discharged into the duodenum to digest protein, fat and sugar. There is an organ in the upper abdomen of the human body called the pancreas. The pancreas is a relatively small organ, but it plays a very important role. Pancreatic juice contains alkaline bicarbonate and various digestive enzymes. Its function is to neutralize stomach acid. What are the roles and functions of the pancreas? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. Pancreas

The pancreas is divided into two parts: the exocrine gland and the endocrine gland. The exocrine glands are composed of alveoli and ducts. The alveoli secrete pancreatic juice, and the ducts are the channels through which the pancreatic juice is discharged. Pancreatic juice contains sodium bicarbonate, trypsinogen, lipase, amylase, etc. Pancreatic juice is discharged into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct, where it digests proteins, fats and sugars.

The endocrine glands are composed of cell clusters of different sizes - pancreatic islets. Pancreatic islets are mainly composed of four types of cells: A cells, B cells, D cells, and PP cells. A cells secrete glucagon to increase blood sugar; B cells secrete insulin to lower blood sugar; D cells secrete somatostatin to inhibit the secretion of A and B cells in a paracrine manner; PP cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide to inhibit gastrointestinal motility, pancreatic juice secretion and gallbladder contraction.

2. Function

Deep in our upper abdomen lies a very inconspicuous organ - the pancreas. The pancreas is a relatively small organ, but its function is very important to the human body. It is one of the important organs in the human body. Because the pancreas is a gland with exocrine function, the physiological effects and pathological changes of the pancreas are closely related to life.

The pancreas is "hidden" behind the peritoneum, so it is far less well-known than the stomach, duodenum, liver, and gallbladder. However, the digestive enzymes in the pancreatic juice secreted by the pancreas play a "protagonist" role in the food digestion process, especially the digestion of fat.

3. Main components of exocrine secretion

The main component of exocrine secretion is pancreatic juice, which contains alkaline bicarbonate and various digestive enzymes. Its main function is to neutralize gastric acid and digest sugar, protein and fat.