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Pancreas: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Pancreas and nearby organs.jpg|thumb|Pancreas and nearby Organs <ref>[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pancreas_and_nearby_organs.jpg wiki]</ref><ref>This image was released by the National Cancer Institute, an agency part of the National Institutes of Health, with the ID 4363</ref><ref> This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Don Bliss (Illustrator). This applies worldwide.</ref>]] | [[File:Pancreas and nearby organs.jpg|thumb|Pancreas and nearby Organs <ref>[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pancreas_and_nearby_organs.jpg wiki]</ref><ref>This image was released by the National Cancer Institute, an agency part of the National Institutes of Health, with the ID 4363</ref><ref> This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Don Bliss (Illustrator). This applies worldwide.</ref>]] | ||
The | The [[Pancreas]] is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland. The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e., it has both an endocrine and a digestive exocrine function. 99% of the pancreas is exocrine and 1% is endocrine. As an endocrine gland, it functions mostly to regulate blood sugar levels, secreting the hormones insulin, glucagon, [[Somatostatin]] and pancreatic polypeptide. As a part of the digestive system, it functions as an exocrine gland secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct. This juice contains bicarbonate, which neutralizes acid entering the duodenum from the stomach; and digestive enzymes, which break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food entering the duodenum from the stomach. | ||
Inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis, with common causes including chronic alcohol use and gallstones. Because of its role in the regulation of blood sugar, the pancreas is also a key organ in diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic cancer can arise following chronic pancreatitis or due to other reasons, and carries a very poor prognosis, as it is often only identified after it has spread to other areas of the body. | Inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis, with common causes including chronic alcohol use and gallstones. Because of its role in the regulation of blood sugar, the pancreas is also a key organ in diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic cancer can arise following chronic pancreatitis or due to other reasons, and carries a very poor prognosis, as it is often only identified after it has spread to other areas of the body. | ||