Dorothy FarrarPancreas
The pancreas is an organ located in the upper abdomen. The gland takes on important tasks. Various diseases can limit the function of the pancreas.
Definition
The pancreas weighs about 80 grams and measures 14 to 18 centimeters in length. It is surrounded by the small intestine , spleen , liver and stomach and can be located centrally in the human body.
The position of the gland changes during embryonic development. It is not part of the inner abdominal cavity. Instead, it lies in front of the spine and is covered with a specific skin called the peritoneum. The peritoneum surrounds numerous other organs within the gastrointestinal tract .
Because of its visual appearance, the pancreas is divided into several parts. In addition to the head, there is a body and a tail. The work of the pancreas primarily affects digestion and the regulation of blood sugar. The function takes place via the production of certain hormones and enzymes. Diseases usually have serious consequences and require medical therapy. Some diseases, such as a tumor , can be fatal.
Anatomy
The shape of the pancreas resembles a wedge. It is about 1 to 2 centimeters thick and has a yellowish-brownish color. The pancreatic duct runs through the entire gland. This is responsible for passing on the digestive fluid produced in the pancreas to the intestine. Thus, the connection runs through the head, body and tail of the organ.
The pancreas is an exocrine and endocrine gland. The endocrine part is expressed visually by the existence of cell groups. These are known as the Langerhans Islands. Their name comes from the discoverer of cell groups. A pancreas has around 1.5 million such islets of Langerhans. Different cell types are staggered in the cell groups. These include, for example, beta cells, which are responsible for the production of insulin .
In addition, glucagon is also produced in the cell groups. Glucagon has become known as the “antagonist” of insulin. The islets of Langerhans form the endocrine part of the pancreas. The exocrine part is composed of lobules that are about 3 millimeters in diameter. The lobules are built in part by cells capable of producing a specific secretion. The pancreas is completely covered by a thin layer of connective tissue.
Function
The task of the pancreas is to produce digestive hormones and digestive enzymes. Once the gland has made the required elements, they can be passed directly to the blood. Enzymes are specific proteins that have the ability to break down food into its component parts so that they can be absorbed through the lining of the intestine.
After their production, the enzymes are passed through the duct that runs through the pancreas. In order to be able to break down the food, the enzymes have aggressive properties from which the pancreas must also protect itself. So that the organ is not damaged, it first produces inactive enzymes. These are transformed into functional substances within the small intestine.
In addition, the pancreas is responsible for producing enzymes that can break down starch, fat and nucleic acid. In order for the enzymes to be able to carry out their function, they need a certain working environment. This is achieved by the fact that the pH does not become overly acidic.
Problematically, the food comes from the stomach where it has been treated with acid. Therefore, the pancreas must first ensure that the stomach acid is rendered harmless. This takes place via a certain liquid, the pancreas. The hormone-producing part of the pancreas is much smaller than the exocrine part. Insulin and glucagon are produced here.
Diseases
- pancreatic insufficiency
There are different diseases that affect the function of the pancreas. The most common disorder is diabetes. As part of the disease, the pancreas produces too little of the vital insulin. Diabetes often goes undetected at first. More and more people in western countries are affected by the disease.
In addition, inflammation of the pancreas can occur. This is usually painful. In the majority of those affected, it was triggered by increased alcohol consumption . The inflammation not only causes stabbing pain, it can also be fatal.
Exocrine diseases are far less common than endocrine ones. If not enough enzymes are produced that are responsible for breaking down food, the body is no longer able to break down meals. Diarrhea or a mushy stool occurs . If pancreatic insufficiency has been diagnosed, treatment should be carried out within a short time window.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.