The anatomy of Pancreas
Definition
o Pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland
Situation
o Situated within the C loop of the duodenum
Function
o The Exocrine part of the gland produces pancreatic juice and drains into the duodenum
o The endocrine part of it produces the hormone insulin and glucagon which are mixed with the blood directly
Structure
o Head, body and tail
o Head in the 'C' curve of the duodenum
o Body almost horizontal behind the stomach
o Tail in front of the left kidney and reaches the spleen.
The exocrine part
o Lobules - made of alveoli - secretory cells
o Drained by tiny ducts
o Tiny ducts unite to form pancreatic duct.
o The pancreatic duct opens into the second part of duodenum at its midpoint.
o Just before it opens into the duodenum it is joined by the common bile duct to form hepato pancreatic duct
o The hepatopancreatic duct opens into the ampulla of Vater.
o The opening of the ampulla of Vater into the second part of the duodenum is controlled by sphincter of Oddi.
The endocrine part
Islet cells of Langerhans - a group of specialized cells distributed throughout the gland
o No ducts
o Hormones directly mix with blood
o Secrete insulin and glucagon
Blood supply
o Splenic artery from coeliac axis
o Mesenteric arteries
o Splenic vein portal vein
Nerve supply
o Parasympathetic from vagus - incrases the secretion
o Sympathetic from coeliac ganglion. - depresses the secretion
