Pancreas Histology Quiz

Pancreas Histology

Gross Anatomy

• The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen
• Divided into head, neck, body, and tail regions
• Surrounded by a thin layer of connective tissue called the pancreatic capsule

Microscopic Structure

Exocrine Pancreas

• Comprises 80-90% of the pancreas
• Consists of acinar cells that produce digestive enzymes
• Acinar cells are arranged in clusters (acini) surrounded by a network of capillaries
• Each acinus has a central lumen that drains into a duct system

Endocrine Pancreas

• Comprises 10-20% of the pancreas
• Consists of islets of Langerhans that produce hormones
• Islets are scattered throughout the pancreas and surrounded by a rich network of capillaries
• Four main types of islet cells:
  1. Alpha cells: produce glucagon
  2. Beta cells: produce insulin
  3. Delta cells: produce somatostatin
  4. PP cells: produce pancreatic polypeptide

Duct System

• The duct system collects digestive enzymes from the acinar cells and transports them to the duodenum
• The main pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung) merges with the common bile duct to form the ampulla of Vater
• The ampulla of Vater empties into the duodenum through the major duodenal papilla

Blood Supply

• The pancreas receives blood from the splenic artery and the superior mesenteric artery
• The splenic vein and the superior mesenteric vein drain the pancreas

Pancreas Histology

Gross Anatomy

• Pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen
• Composed of head, neck, body, and tail regions
• Surrounded by a thin layer of connective tissue called the pancreatic capsule

Microscopic Structure

Exocrine Pancreas

• Makes up 80-90% of the pancreas
• Comprises acinar cells that produce digestive enzymes
• Acinar cells are arranged in clusters (acini) surrounded by a network of capillaries
• Each acinus has a central lumen that drains into a duct system

Endocrine Pancreas

• Makes up 10-20% of the pancreas
• Comprises islets of Langerhans that produce hormones
• Islets are scattered throughout the pancreas and surrounded by a rich network of capillaries
• Four main types of islet cells produce:
• Glucagon (alpha cells)
• Insulin (beta cells)
• Somatostatin (delta cells)
• Pancreatic polypeptide (PP cells)

Duct System

• Collects digestive enzymes from acinar cells and transports them to the duodenum
• Main pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung) merges with the common bile duct to form the ampulla of Vater
• Ampulla of Vater empties into the duodenum through the major duodenal papilla

Blood Supply

• Pancreas receives blood from the splenic artery and the superior mesenteric artery
• Pancreas is drained by the splenic vein and the superior mesenteric vein

Test your knowledge of the pancreas' gross anatomy and microscopic structure, including the exocrine and endocrine pancreas.