Pancreas
| Definition: |
A mixed exocrine and endocrine gland situated transversely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions. The endocrine portion is comprised of the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS, while the exocrine portion is a compound acinar gland that secretes digestive enzymes. |
| Notes: |
/enzymol: consider also PANCREATIN for "pancreatic enzymes" particularly in ther; /surg: consider also PANCREATECTOMY; /transpl = PANCREAS TRANSPLANTATION: do not coord with TRANSPLANTATION, HOMOLOGOUS unless particularly discussed; note that ISLETS OF LA |
| Also Called: |
Pancreas, Exocrine |
Pancreas Categories.
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Islets of Langerhans - Irregular microscopic structures, varying from a few to hundreds of cells, scattered throughout the PANCREAS and comprising its endocrine portion. There are three cell types: alpha, secreting glucagon; beta, secreting insulin; and delta (D CELLS), secreting somatostatin. |
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Pancreatic Ducts - Ducts that collect PANCREATIC JUICE from the PANCREAS and supply it to the DUODENUM. |
Pancreas Definitions and Terms
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