This book describes Pancreas, Functions, Diseases, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
The pancreas is a glandular organ in the digestive system and endocrine system of humans.
It is both:
1.An endocrine gland (Islet cell 1%) producing several important hormones including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide.
2.A digestive organ (Ductal Cell 99%), secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist the absorption of nutrients and the digestion in the small intestine
The pancreas is a firm gland measuring 20-25cm in length, 4-6cm in width and 3-4cm in depth.
It is firmly attached in the back of the abdominal cavity behind the stomach.
The pancreas is divided into 5 parts
1.The head is closely connected to the duodenum which is the first part of the small intestine into which the stomach empties liquids and partially digested food
2.The uncinate process is an extension of the lower part of the head of the gland which surrounds important blood vessels
3.The neck is the constricted part between the head and the body
4.The body lies behind the stomach
5.The tail is the left end of the pancreas closely attached to the central part of the spleen with which it shares a common blood supply
Pancreatic Duct
Passing along the length of the pancreas within its center is the main pancreatic duct which empties pancreatic juice into the duodenum.
Also passing through the middle of the head of the pancreas is the main bile duct which also empties into the duodenum
The main bile duct carries bile from the liver where it is made and also from the gallbladder where it is stored.
In most people the pancreas duct and bile duct join together just before they open into the duodenum through a large fleshy nipple called the ampulla of Vater.
Surrounding the openings of each of these ducts are small muscles that control the release of pancreas juice and bile and thus act as valves.
There is also a valve that regulates the pancreas juice and bile together and this sits in the ampulla (called the sphincter of Oddi).
The pancreas function together during meals:
1.To help digest the food (the exocrine pancreas).
2.To inform the rest of the body that food is being digested and absorbed and on their way to other cells of the body (the endocrine pancreas).
In this way the person gets constant feedback on the adequacy of nutrition in the body.
The majority of the pancreas is composed of exocrine cells (acinar and Pancreatic stellate cells).
MY STORY as a Pancreatic Cell
My name is Pancreas Man the Pancreatic Duct Cell.
was named Pancreas Man by my friends who feel that Pancreas Man is the most suitable name of a cell from the pancreas of the human body.
My brother the Insulin Man comes from the cell in the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas
Unlike me he produces the insulin hormone in the body while I help to produce the digestive enzymes.
My acinar cells make powerful digestive enzymes that can dissolve complex vegetables and meats turning them into liquids.
The enzymes are made in an inactive form (zymogens) to keep the pancreas from digesting itself.
We duct cells make fluid that mixes with the zymogens to make pancreatic juice.
The juice then mixes with the food as it leaves the stomach.
The juice has high concentrations of bicarbonate which neutralizes stomach acid
The pancreatic juice flows from my acinar cells to the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.
Digestion of food which consists of carbohydrates, proteins and fat is not possible without the action of my pancreas.
My main pancreatic duct and the main bile duct join up together so that my pancreatic juice and bile acids help digestion.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Pancreas
Chapter 2 Functions
Chapter 3 Life Cycle
Chapter 4 Diseases
Chapter 5 Pancreatitis
Chapter 6 Pancreas Cancer
Chapter 7 Diabetes Mellitus
Chapter 8 Life and Death Pancreatic Duct Cell
Epilogue
