Human Endocrine Glands - Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)

The pancreas is an important organ in the digestive system that produces pancreatic juice containing several digestive enzymes. These enzymes help break down food into simpler forms so the body can absorb nutrients.

• The pancreas is a long, flat gland located behind the stomach in the upper part of the abdomen.
• It is connected to the small intestine through a small tube called the pancreatic duct

1. Secretion of pancreatic juice: The pancreas releases pancreatic juice into the small intestine. This juice contains enzymes that help in digestion.

2. Enzymes in Pancreatic Juice

• Amylase: Breaks down starch into sugar.
• Protease (trypsin): Breaks down proteins into amino acids.
• Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

3. Role in Digestion: The pancreatic juice mixes with food in the small intestine, helping break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.

4. Control of Blood Sugar (Endocrine Function): Besides digestion, the pancreas also produces hormones like insulin and glucagon, which help regulate blood sugar levels.

1. Pancreas functions both as an exocrine gland (secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum) and an endocrine gland (secreting hormones into the blood).
2. The Islets of Langerhans contain beta cells (secrete insulin) and alpha cells (secrete glucagon), which regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake by cells and storing excess glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
4. Under-secretion of insulin causes diabetes mellitus (hyperglycemia), with symptoms like excessive urination, thirst, weakness, and sugar in urine.
5. Glucagon raises blood sugar by converting glycogen to glucose in the liver; overdose of insulin can lead to hypoglycemia or insulin shock.