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# The Pancreas The pancreas is an endocrine gland located just below the stomach. It is a light pink, flattened, triangular structure. ### Pancreatic Juice The pancreas produces pancreatic juice, which is carried by the pancreatic duct into the duodenum. It contains enzymes that digest food. ###...

# The Pancreas The pancreas is an endocrine gland located just below the stomach. It is a light pink, flattened, triangular structure. ### Pancreatic Juice The pancreas produces pancreatic juice, which is carried by the pancreatic duct into the duodenum. It contains enzymes that digest food. ### The Islets of Langerhans The islets of Langerhans are located in the connective tissue of the pancreas. They are scattered among the exocrine lobules. There are three types of cells in the islets of Langerhans: * **Alpha cells:** Produce glucagon. * **Beta cells:** Produce insulin. * **Delta cells:** Produce somatostatin. ### Glucagon Glucagon stimulates the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver, leading to a rise in blood sugar levels. Low glucose levels, a protein-rich diet, and exercise stimulate its formation. ### Insulin Insulin controls carbohydrate metabolism in the body cells and maintains proper glucose levels in the blood. It promotes the utilization of glucose by body cells and stimulates the conversion of extra glucose from blood to glycogen by the liver cells for storage in the liver and muscles. # Disorders of the Thyroid ### Myxoedema Myxoedema is caused by undersecretion of thyroxine due to the degeneration or defective development of the thyroid. Symptoms include: * Puffy skin * Slow movements * Decreased energy levels ### Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism is caused by oversecretion of thyroxine. Symptoms include: * Increased metabolic rate * Increased appetite * Nervousness * Rapid heartbeat * Shortness of breath * Bulging eyeballs * Goitre ## Image Descriptions ### Figure 13.6 A person showing myxoedema. ### Figure 13.7 A person suffering from exophthalmic goitre. ### Figure 13.8 A diagram of the pancreas. The image labels parts of the pancreas, including: * Head * Body * Tail * Hepatic ducts of the liver * Common hepatic duct * Common bile duct * Pancreatic duct * Blood capillary * Exocrine acini * Alpha cell * Beta cell * Delta cell * An islet of Langerhans The image also depicts: * Connections to the duodenum * Connections to the spleen * Connections to the gallbladder * Connections to the jejunum