The Pancreas and Its Functions

Study Notes

An endocrine gland located beneath the stomach, featuring a light pink, flattened, triangular structure.
Responsible for producing pancreatic juice, which is released into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct, aiding in food digestion.

Scattered within the connective tissue of the pancreas, these structures include three types of cells:
- Alpha cells: Secrete glucagon to raise blood sugar levels.
- Beta cells: Produce insulin to regulate glucose metabolism.
- Delta cells: Responsible for somatostatin production, which regulates hormone secretion.

Functions to stimulate the liver to convert glycogen into glucose, thus increasing blood sugar levels.
Its production is triggered by low glucose levels, a protein-rich diet, and physical exercise.

Essential for controlling carbohydrate metabolism and maintaining balanced blood glucose levels.
Facilitates glucose uptake by body cells and promotes conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles.

Myxoedema:
- Resulting from insufficient thyroxine secretion, often linked to thyroid degeneration or defects.
- Symptoms include puffy skin, slow movements, and low energy levels.
Hyperthyroidism:
- Occurs from excessive thyroxine production.
- Symptoms include increased metabolic rate, appetite, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, bulging eyeballs, and goitre.

Figure 13.6: Depicts a person with myxoedema.
Figure 13.7: Shows a person suffering from exophthalmic goitre.
Figure 13.8: A labeled diagram of the pancreas, illustrating components such as:
- Head, body, tail of the pancreas, as well as hepatic ducts, common hepatic duct, common bile duct, and pancreatic duct.
- Includes blood capillaries, exocrine acini, alpha, beta, and delta cells, and an islet of Langerhans.
- Highlights connections to the duodenum, spleen, gallbladder, and jejunum.