The Pancreas is a large gland that forms part of the Endocrine System, but the Pancreas also has an exocrine part to it.

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DISEASES AND DIAGNOSIS

Task 1:

The Pancreas is a large gland that forms part of the Endocrine System, but the Pancreas also has an exocrine part to it. Despite the fact that it is part of the endocrine system, most of the Pancreas is made up of it’s exocrine part. It is this part of the Pancreas that releases a highly Alkali solution that is rich in enzymes into the duodenum via the Pancreatic Ducts. The reason the secretion is of a high pH is because of a high content of bicarbonate Ions and it is these which neutralises the highly acidic clyme as it is moved from the small intestine into the duodenum. The process of the breakdown of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids and Proteins by Pancreatic Enzymes is called Luminal Digestion.

The enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin are both secreted in inactive form. The enzyme that causes protyrypsin to produce trypsin is called Enterokinase. The Trypsin then goes on to activate prochymotrypsin to form chymotrpysin. This process is carried out to prevent the Pancreas from digesting itself. The other pancreatic enzymes are secreted in active form. The secretion of Pancreatic enzymes is a continuous process. To promote the secretion of the enzymes, endocrine cells in the duodenum release the hormone Secretin and this hormone also promotes the secretion of a fluid, which is copious, watery and rich in bicarbonate. 

(Information from handout called Liver and pancreas, page 279.)

 The Pancreatic juice is secreted by the exocrine part of the Pancreas and this area of the Pancreas is made up of or is known to consist epithelial cells. These cells are the actual cells that perform the secretion of the pancreatic juices, which then surround the start of a duct. It is this duct that carries the juice to an Intra-lobular duct (the pancreas is made up of lobes) and these intra lobular ducts and the juice travels further into an inter lobular duct before then ending up in the main duct, which then empties the juices into the duodenum. The bile duct joins the pancreatic duct before it reaches the duodenum. Also, the patches of cells referred to as Islet of Langerhans secrete Insulin and glucagons (Both are Hormones) directly into the bloodstream.

See diagram “Low power drawing of pancreatic tissue drawn from a photomicrograph” and “Diagram of the pancreas showing its various ducts and its relationship to the small intestine” to see the histology of the pancreas.

The epithelial cells, which surround the beginning of the Duct System, which secretes the pancreatic juice, are referred to as acinar cells. Together, these cells make up a structure called an acinus.

See diagram “Diagram of the pancreas showing its various ducts and its relationship to the small intestine” which shows the acini.

(Information from a handout called Human Nutrition.)

The pancreas is said to be a highly lobulated gland that also has a thin collogenous tissues that acts as a delicate septa between any 2 lobules. The exocrine part of the pancreas includes acini that can secrete and these secretions created by the acini drain into a duct system, which is made up of lots of branches. As mentioned earlier, the secretions flow down the pancreatic duct, which is also joined with the bile duct, and into the duodenum through the ampulla of vater. The Islets Of Langerhans are formed by the endocrine part of the Pancreas and are scattered in the exocrine area of the pancreas gland.

(Information from handout called Liver and pancreas, page 279.)

On the next page is a table showing not only pancreatic enzymes but also ones that are found in the body. It is on the next page because it is too big to fit here

Table from a handout called Human Nutrition.

Task 2:

Pancreatitis is a disease that affects the functions of the Pancreas and also damages the organ itself. With pancreatitis, the symptoms are rather similar to those of food poisoning. These symptoms include:

  • Abdominal Pains
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea
  • Fever and
  • Vomiting

Actually diagnosing Pancreatitis requires the use of blood testing for the presence of Pancreatatic Enzymes. If there is a presence of these enzymes in the blood confirms the patient has Pancreatitis.

With Pancreatitis, there are two forms: Acute and Chronic.

Sufferers of Acute Pancreatitis will initially feel pain in their upper abdomen and the pain may be severe. The pain may be just in the abdomen but can spread to the back. With acute Pancreatitis, the pain is known to either appear suddenly and to be intense or either starts mild and worsens as food is digested. Other possible symptoms could be:

  • Swollen and Tender Abdomen
  • Nausea (feeling sick)
  • Vomiting
  • Fever and
  • Rapid Pulse

In severe cases of Acute form, blood pressure can be affected and dehydration can occur.

With Chronic Pancreatitis, this will occur when Digestive enzymes attack and destroy the Pancreas itself and the nearby tissues. This obviously leads to quite a lot of damage. Chronic Pancreatitis can be triggered by only one attack of acute Pancreatitis but will occur if the Pancreatitis is continually damaged.

Though alcohol abuse is usually the cause of Chronic Pancreatitis, it is not the only cause. Below is a list of other causes of Chronic Pancreatitis:

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  • Blocked/Narrowed Pancreatic Duct
  • Hereditary or
  • Unknown (this is referred to as Diopathic)

The pancreas is one of the organs that are part of the digestive system. The epithelial cells, which are divided into two main types, acinar and duct cells. The acinar and duct cells both from a continuous layer, which separates the interstitial space of the pancreas. This interstitial space is the space, which is in between the cells but outside the blood stream from the lumen of the gland. The epithelial layer looks like a bunch of grapes on a stalk. This is the main ...

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