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The Pancreas is an important organ in Digestion and in metabolism. It is termed both an exocrine and endocrine gland.

The shape of the pancreas is a longer but slim organ that sits behind the stomach stomach.

It is typically found on the left side of the abdomen.

Enzymes from the Pancreas allow for the Digestion or a breakdown of carbohydrate and proteins.

The pancreas also produces hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin which help regulate the metabolism process of the body.

The pancreas also secretes pancreatic juices and digestive enzymes that travel into the small intestines small intestines.

It is these enzymes that help break down molecules and are apart of digestion.

The pancreatic ducts leave the pancreas and travels and joins with the common bile duct.

Islets of Langerhans

–  Were discovered in 1869 by a German pathological anatomist by the name of Paul Langerhans.
–  Are areas or regions of cells in pancreas
–  The function in endocrine in nature  (Hormone producing)
–  Take up approximately 2% of the pancreas.

Types of cells of the Pancreas:

1.) Alpha cell – produce glucagon
2.) Beta cells – produce Insulin
3.) Delta cells – produce somatostatin
4.) PP cells – produce pancreatic polypeptide
5.) Epsilon cells – produce ghrelin