What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is an oblong flattened gland, about six inches long, located deep in the abdomen, sandwiched between the stomach and the spine. It has five main parts – the tail, body, neck, head and uncinate process.
The pancreas is made up of glandular tissue and a system of ducts. The main duct is the pancreatic duct which runs the length of the pancreas. It drains the pancreatic fluid from the gland and carries it to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
The main pancreatic duct merges with the bile duct to form the ampulla of Vater (a widening of the duct just before it enters the duodenum).
What does the pancreas do?
The pancreas is an integral part of the digestive system. It makes digestive enzymes and fluids which are released in the duodenum to help break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats. This is called the exocrine part of the pancreas.
The pancreas also makes insulin and glucagon, the hormones that control sugar levels in the blood. This is the endocrine part of the pancreas.
Most cancers of the pancreas start in the digestive enzyme (exocrine) part. Only about five to ten percent originate from the insulin-hormone (endocrine) part.
The pancreas has 2 main functions:
- It makes enzymes, which help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates before they can be absorbed in the intestine.
- It makes hormones (chemicals made from glands), the most important of which is insulin, which control how the body uses and stores sugar (glucose), its main source of energy.
