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The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates.In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland.The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e., it has both an endocrine and a digestive exocrine function.
Beta cells (β-cells) are specialized endocrine cells located within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans responsible for the production and release of insulin and amylin. [1] Constituting ~50–70% of cells in human islets, beta cells play a vital role in maintaining blood glucose levels. [2] Problems with beta cells can lead to disorders such ...
Glucagon is a peptide hormone, produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. It raises the concentration of glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream and is considered to be the main catabolic hormone of the body. [1] It is also used as a medication to treat a number of health conditions.
Enteroendocrine cells are specialized cells of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas with endocrine function. They produce gastrointestinal hormones or peptides in response to various stimuli and release them into the bloodstream for systemic effect, diffuse them as local messengers, or transmit them to the enteric nervous system to activate nervous responses.
Pancreatic polypeptide cells (PP cells), or formerly as gamma cells (γ-cells), or F cells, are cells in the pancreatic islets (Islets of Langerhans) of the pancreas. Their main role is to help synthesize and regulate the release of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) , after which they have been named.
There are about 1 million islets distributed throughout the pancreas of a healthy adult human. While islets vary in size, the average diameter is about 0.2 mm. [5]:928 Each islet is separated from the surrounding pancreatic tissue by a thin, fibrous, connective tissue capsule which is continuous with the fibrous connective tissue that is interwoven throughout the rest of the pancreas.
Delta cells comprise ca 5% of the cells in the islets [1] but may interact with many more islet cells than suggested by their low numbers. In rodents, delta-cells are located in the periphery of the islets; in humans the islet architecture is generally less organized and delta-cells are frequently observed inside the islets as well. [2]
Pancreas releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine via ducts (exocrine) and secretes insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream (endocrine) to regulate blood sugar level. Testes produce sperm , which is released through ducts (exocrine), and they also secrete androgens into the bloodstream (endocrine).