Introduction to the pancreas Disorders

Disorders of the pancreas

Introduction to the pancreas

The pancreas has two important functions: the production of pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes vital for normal digestion and absorption of food, and the production of the hormones insulin and glucagon in the islets of Langerhans, which are released into the blood and have numerous effects on cell metabolism. Inflammation of the pancreas, which may be due to many causes, including pancreatic duct obstruction, alcohol and viruses causes an initial insult to pancreas, but further damage results from the release of intracellular enzymes and their abnormal activation, so that the pancreas autolyses itself.

The endocrine pancreas

The islets of Langerhans are islands of endocrine cells scattered throughout the pancreas. They are clustered around a capillary network into which they secrete their hormones. The islets contain three main cell types, which cannot be distinguished histologically but secrete different hormones:

α cells secrete glucagon.

β cells secrete insulin.

δ cells secrete stomatostatin.