Pancreas Diseases

Type 1 is an immune disorder attacking pancreas cells, causing high blood sugar. Type 2 is more common in overweight individuals and is often managed with medication.

Digestive enzymes break down lipids, carbs, and proteins. Precursor enzymes are inactive variants. Enteropeptidase activates trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen in the intestine.

Insulin is produced in the islets of Langerhans cells, found in the endocrine section of the pancreas. Beta and delta cells also produce insulin and somatostatin.

The pancreas is a glandular organ behind the stomach, part of both the digestive and endocrine systems. The exocrine part produces digestive enzymes, while the endocrine part (islets of Langerhans) produces hormones like insulin and glucagon.

The exocrine function is regulated by Langerhans cells and the autonomic nervous system. Hormones involved include gastric, secretin, and cholecystokinin. Enzymes are secreted into the lumen and travel through the pancreatic duct to the duodenum.

The endocrine function involves hormones like insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. These hormones are produced by islets, clusters of endocrine cells with a capillary network.

Pancreatic cancer, often ductal adenocarcinoma, usually occurs between ages 60-80 and forms in the carcinoma of the exocrine ducts.

Serous cystadenomas are small cysts with clear fluid and cuboidal epithelial cells. Mucinous cystadenomas are lined with columnar mucin-producing epithelial cells with dense cellular stroma.

Risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, genetics, and multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats, belonging to the esterase subclass. It plays a role in digestion, transport, and processing dietary lipids.

Pancreatic lipase breaks down dietary fat, converting triglycerides into monoglycerides and fatty acids. It's secreted into the duodenum and its presence in serum indicates pancreatic disruption.

Amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. It's found in saliva and the pancreas, breaking down dietary starch into disaccharides and trisaccharides.

Acute pancreatitis is the auto-ingestion and inflammation of the pancreas due to premature activation of enzymes.

Pancreatitis can be caused by alcohol and gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct, as well as infections like measles, mumps, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and scorpion stings. It involves enzyme damage to the pancreas.

Hyperamylasemia is measured by blood serum amylase. Elevated levels typically indicate inflammation of the pancreas, perforated peptic ulcer, or ovarian cyst. Amylase can be measured in blood, urine, and peritoneal fluid.