The Endocrine Pancreas

Almost everyone knows about the stomach and the intestines, but the Pancreas is not as famous as them in our society. We must know how important its function is, today i'm going to talk about it.


First, we must know it is a long gland located deep in our belly (behind the stomach), and it has an Endocrine tissue as well as an exocrine one. But humans are most interested in the endocrine portion because of its role in our system.


-In the image, the 'corn looking', long and flattened gland, is the Pancreas.




Now let's talk about the most important: Its function.

The exocrine tissue secretes a fluid wich contains an aquous part(carbonate rich) and an enzymatic part. This secretion helps us to digest food, and also neutralizes the acid fluids in the duodene.

But the endocrine tissue secretes two of the most important hormones for us to keep the homeostasis:

-Beta cells: They secrete insulin, hormone needed to take the excess of sugar from the bloodstream and store it inside cells as glycogen.

-Alpha cells: They secrete glucagon, hormone needed to transform glycogen in sugar again and send it back to the bloodstream, when necessary.

When the insulin receptors from other of the body cells fail, the person can suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, but don't worry, this disease can be fought back.

However, when Beta cells don't produce insulin, the person becomes an insulin dependent, and the cure for this disease is still in progress...

So if you suddenly faint or start feeling dizzy because you haven't had breakfast this morning, then you haven't given your pancreas the tools to keep your blood sugar levels fine. Eat a sweet snack!

In the other case, if you love sweets, biscuits and cakes, don't abuse! If you already do, your poor pancreas is in trouble :c

Finally, if you are feeling thirsty, with a recurrent need to pee, dizzy, or with less energy than usual, go to the doctor and see if you aren't close to suffer a diabetes disorder. Don't wait until it's too late!

Bye, Camilo.