The Pancreas By: Jackie Santos, Gabby Kamacho, Jacqui Capobianco

Location of Pancreas

The pancreas is located behind the stomach, and is shaped like a tadpole.

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Structure/ Hormones

Structure The pancreas can be found near

the stomach next to the duodenum

When it is first being formed it has two separate parts which come together. The

pancreas has three different subsections: the head, body, and tail.

The common bile duct is used to drain the extra hormones which aid in the digestion going through the small intestine.

The Islets of Langerhands produce insulin and can be found throughout the pancreas.

Hormones The pancreas produces four

hormones: glucagons, insulin, somatostain, and pancreatic polypeptide.

Glucagon- elevates blood sugar levels. Tells the liver to produce more glucose so the blood sugar levels return to normal

Insulin- lowers blood sugar levels. Transports glucose to other cells. Helps convert glucose to glycogen

Somatostain- stops the production of glucagons and insulin. Slows down nutrient absorption in the small intestines

Pancreatic polypeptide- Contracts the gallbladder wall. In the secretions of digestive enzymes

How hormones work

Disorders/ DiseasesIslet Cell Cancer/ Pancreatic

Endocrine Cancer

Occurs rarely when hormone-producing cells in the pancreas form mutations.

Diabetes

When beta cells do not produce enough insulin in the pancreas and glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed into body cells.

Pancreatitis

An inflamed pancreas which is caused by digestive enzymes activated in the pancreas before it reaches the duodenum.

Work Cited M.D., Erich Rosenberger. "Structure

and Function of the Pancreas." Helium. Helium, 09 Jan. 2009. Web. 28 May 2013. http://www.helium.com/items/1290173-structure-and-function-of-the-pancreas

 

"Endocrine Health." Pancreas. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. http://endocrinehealth.blogspot.com/2009/05/hormones-produced-by-pancreas.html

Jadhav, Aparna. Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 06 Aug. 2010. 26 May 2013.

<http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pancreas-hormones-of-the-pancreas.html>.

 

"Pancreatitis Causes, Symptoms,

Treatments, Tests." 26 May 2013.

<http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-pancreatitis>.

 

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and

Research, 10 Apr. 2012. 28 May 2013.

<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/DS00357/DSECTION=causes>.

 

"National Diabetes InformationClearinghouse (NDIC)." Causes of Diabetes. 28 May 2013.

<http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/causes/>.