The pancreas (medically pancreas) is a gland that belongs to the digestive organs of humans and also of all vertebrates. Located in the upper abdomen of humans, it is one of the vital organs.
What is the pancreas?
Infographic showing the anatomy and location of the pancreas with pancreatic cancer. Click image to enlarge. The pancreas is an exocrine gland that releases digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Only then can food components from ingested food be broken down and the nutrients released into the blood. At the same time, the pancreas is also an endocrine gland that produces hormones such as insulin. Without the pancreas, the complicated digestive processes would not be possible. Great importance has the pancreas in the formation of insulin and thus in the regulation of blood sugar.
Anatomy and structure
The pancreas lies between the stomach, liver, and spleen across the upper abdomen. In front of all these abdominal organs is the peritoneum. The pancreas is shaped like a wedge, is about 20 centimeters long, about three to four centimeters wide, and one to two centimeters long. It weighs between 70 and 100 grams. The pancreas is divided into three different areas. On the right side is the pancreatic head, followed by the pancreatic body. The gland ends with the pancreatic tail on the left side. The tail of the pancreas opens exactly at the inner bulge of the spleen. The pancreatic head is virtually embedded in the duodenum. The surface of the pancreas consists of thousands of lobules. They have a diameter of about three millimeters each. The pancreas opens into the duodenum through an excretory duct. Through this excretory duct, the pancreatic enzymes enter the intestine. A connective tissue capsule surrounds the entire pancreas.
Functions and tasks
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy of the pancreas. Click to enlarge. The body and tail of the pancreas contain the islets of Langerhans. They produce the vital hormones insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. Insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose levels in the body. The exocrine part of the pancreas contains glandular cells that produce digestive enzymes, pancreatic secretions. The secretion passes from the gland lobules through glandular ducts to the large excretory duct (ductus panreaticus). Together with the bile duct, the ductus pancreaticus opens into the duodenum, and enzymes from the pancreas thus enter the intestine. It is these pancreatic enzymes that enable carbohydrates, fats and proteins from food to be absorbed into the blood. Without the breakdown by the pancreatic enzymes, these components are much too large to be able to enter the blood. Ninety-eight percent of pancreatic tissue is responsible for exocrine function, i.e., the production of digestive enzymes. Only two percent of the pancreatic tissue takes care of the endocrine function, i.e. the production of hormones. However, this small part is vital. The best-known pancreatic hormone is insulin. It ensures that carbohydrates can enter the body’s cells as fuel, effectively acting as a “door opener” for the cells. It is the body’s only hormone that can lower blood glucose levels. Glucagon is the antagonist of insulin. It raises blood glucose levels when hypoglycemia is imminent (e.g., during sports). Only a healthy interaction of insulin and glucagon enables stable blood glucose levels.
Diseases
Many people think of diabetes disease when they think of diseases of the pancreas. Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the endocrine glands of the pancreas. There are several forms of diabetes disease, the two best known forms are diabetes mellitus type 1 and diabetes mellitus type 2. In diabetes mellitus type 1, the patient is insulin dependent. The pancreas no longer produces insulin. This is an autoimmune disease. The immune system therefore turns against its own body because it no longer recognizes the cells as the body’s own. Insulin must be added externally by means of insulin injections. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is still incurable, and the cause is not yet fully known. However, with appropriate insulin and nutrition therapy, patients today lead an almost unhindered life. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body is partially or completely resistant to insulin.The insulin can therefore not work or not work properly. This form of diabetes can often be treated with tablets. Another disease of the pancreas is pancreatic cancer, which is often fatal because it is usually detected late.
Typical and common diseases
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
- Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic carcinoma)
- Diabetes mellitus
