A. UNDERSTANDING THE DEFINITION OF
PANCREAS
The pancreas is a gland in the digestive system that
lies beneath the surface of the stomach. The pancreas is a gland that has two
main functions; as an endocrine organ
(secretes hormones) and as an
exocrine organ (enzymes). The pancreas has an elongated flat shape, the
length of the pancreas can vary and typically about 15 cm in adults. The
pancreas can be found on the upper left region of the abdominal cavity. For
more details, please observe the following picture:
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| PANCREAS |
B. THE FUNCTION OF PANCREAS
all the functions of the pancreas related to its role
as an endocrine and exocrine organ, therefore we divide the functions of the
pancreas into two main points:
1. Pacreas As
An Endocrine Organ
Endocrine organ is the organ that secretes hormones
into the bloodstream to regulate the body's balance and functions. Structures
that perform this function are Langerhans cells. Each cell produces different
hormones and have different functions. 4 main cells in pancreatic Langerhans
are:
- Glucagon Hormone, a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas. This hormone serves to increase the levels of glucose in the blood.
- Insulin Hormone, a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. This hormone serves to reduce levels of glucose in the blood by put it into the cell as an energy source.
- Somatostatin Hormone, is a hormone produced by the delta cells of the pancreas. This hormone serves to regulate the activity of alpha cells and beta cells.
- Pancreatic Polypeptide Hormone, is a hormone produced by the gamma cells (PP cells) of the pancreas. This hormone primary function is not fully known yet, but they can adjust the speed of digestion of food.
2. Pancreas As
An Exocrine Organ
Exocrine organ is the organ that secretes enzymes or
his products through special channels to the surface inside or outside the
body. This means that the product of this organ is not going through the blood
vessels. As an exocrine organ, the pancreas gland play an important role in the
body's digestive system. Structures that play a role in doing this function is
the pancreatic acinar cells. These cells will produce enzymes and various
components to the surface of the small intestine.
When food that enters the body digested by the
stomach then this food will enters the small intestine. To digest food
perfectly, the small intestine produce a hormone called cholecystokinin then stimulates the pancreas to release products.
Enzymes and other products issued from pancreas often referred to as pancreatic
Fluid. Components of pancreatic fluid are :
- Sodium Bicarbonate (NaCHO3), alkaline, serves to make optimal pH to the food. The food that coming from the stomach will be acid due to the influence of digestion occurs in the stomach. If the food is not neutralized, then the acidic conditions can damage the structure of the digestive organs in its path.
- Trypsinogen, is a component that has not become active enzyme. When the small intestine with Enterokinase activate the enzyme. Trypsinogen will become trypsin which will be used to break down proteins into amino acids (polypeptide).
- Pancreatic lipase, an enzyme that works to break down fats into fatty acids + glycerol. Pancreatic Lipase would also set up the fat in our body.
- Pancreatic amylase, an enzyme that functions to break down polysaccharides (starch) into monosaccharides (eg glucose).
- Carbohydrases pancreas, an enzyme that works to break down the disaccharide molecular into monosaccharides. The whole carbohydrates should be in the form of a monosaccharide when needed by the cell, because the cell is only able to receive carbohydrates in its simplest form. Examples of carbohydrases include maltase, lactase, and others (the names similar with the modified polysaccharide).
C. PARTS OF PANCREAS
- Pancreas Head, is the widest part of the pancreas, attached to the small intestine.
- Pancreas Neck, part that lies between the head and body of the pancreas with a length about 2.5 cm.
- Pancreatic Body, is a central part that has many cells in the pancreas that is referred to as the most important part of the pancreas.
- The tail of the pancreas, the final part of the pancreas, pancreatic tail is located in the left abdomen and slightly tapered shape.
- Pancreatic duct, a channel that came out from the pancreas body and attached into the small intestine. The function of the pancreatic ducts is to distribute various enzymes that help the digestion of critical components such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
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| PARTS OF PANCREAS |
D. STRUCTURE OF PANCREAS
Indirectly, we have discussed the structure of the
pancreas at a few points above explanation, but for clarity friend please note
the following images:
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| STRUCTURE OF PANCREAS |
The human pancreas compiled of Langerhans cells and
acinar cells. Langerhans cells support pancreatic function as an endocrine
organ, while the acini cells support pancreas as an exocrine organ. Langerhans
is composed by 4 cells, the alpha, beta, delta, and gamma cells. While the
acinar cells function are to produce various substances such as sodium
bicarbonate, lipase, amylase, and carbohydrases pancreas.
