Pancreas Anatomy and Function

Pancreas Functions

• The pancreas contains exocrine glands that produce enzymes essential for digestion.
• The pancreas has an endocrine component, consisting of islet cells, which produce and release important hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Insulin and Glucagon

• Insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas.
• Glucagon is produced by alpha cells in the pancreas.

Insulin's Role in Blood Glucose Regulation

• Insulin helps regulate blood glucose levels by signaling the liver, muscle, and fat cells to take in glucose from the blood.
• Insulin enables cells to take in glucose for energy production.
• When the body has sufficient energy, insulin signals the liver to store glucose as glycogen.

Insulin Secretion

• The pancreas secretes 40-50 units of insulin daily in two stages.
• Basal insulin secretion occurs at low levels during fasting.
• Prandial insulin secretion occurs at increased levels after eating.
• An early burst of insulin occurs within 10 minutes of eating, followed by increasing release as long as hyperglycemia is present.

Diabetes and Insulin

• A lack of insulin, or an inability to adequately respond to insulin, can lead to the development of diabetes symptoms.
• Insulin is also involved in the storage of fat.