The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland.
Exocrine
Description
- Large number of lobes, each drained by a tiny duct
- Ducts eventually unite to form the pancreatic duct, which opens into the
- Function
- Production of pancreatic juice containing enzymes that digest carbohydrates, proteins and fats
Endocrine
Description
- Groups of specialised cells (pancreatic islets/islets of Langerhans) with no ducts
- Hormones diffuse directly into the blood as glands have no ducts
Function
- Secretes hormones, insulin and glucagon which are principally concerned with the regulation of blood glucose levels
The pancreas has digestive and hormonal functions:
- The enzymes secreted by the exocrinegland in the pancreas help break down carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and acids in the duodenum. These enzymes travel down the pancreatic duct into the bile duct in an inactive form. When they enter the duodenum, they are activated. The exocrine tissue also secretes a bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the duodenum.
- The hormones secreted by the endocrinegland in the pancreas are insulin and glucagon (which regulate the level of glucose in the blood), and somatostatin (which prevents the release of the other two hormones).