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Endocrine pancreas regulates blood glucose via insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin released from pancreatic islets.
The pancreas is a mixed (heterocrine) gland that carries out both endocrine and exocrine functions. Most of its tissue is exocrine (about 99%), producing digestive secretions, while a smaller portion is endocrine (about 1%), producing hormones that regulate metabolism. Endocrine function: Pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) contain hormone-secreting cells—alpha cells (glucagon), beta cells (insulin), and delta cells (somatostatin)—which help maintain blood glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose is high, beta cells release insulin to lower glucose; when glucose is low, alpha cells release glucagon to raise glucose. Somatostatin modulates insulin and glucagon release. Exocrine function: The exocrine pancreas secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum via pancreatic ducts. This juice contains bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid and digestive enzymes (zymogens) that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Overall, the pancreas links digestion with metabolic control, and its dysfunction is central to conditions such as diabetes and pancreatitis.
Endocrine pancreas regulates blood glucose via insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin released from pancreatic islets.
Exocrine pancreas releases bicarbonate and digestive enzymes into the duodenum to support digestion.
The pancreas is predominantly exocrine tissue, with endocrine tissue making up a small fraction of its mass.
Hormone secretion by pancreatic islets that regulates blood sugar levels.
Secretion of pancreatic juice (bicarbonate and digestive enzymes) into the duodenum for digestion.
Clusters of endocrine cells distributed throughout the pancreas that release hormones into the bloodstream.
A hormone released by beta cells that lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular glucose uptake and metabolism.
A hormone released by alpha cells that raises blood glucose by stimulating glucose production and glycogen breakdown in the liver.
A hormone released by delta cells that inhibits the release of insulin and glucagon.
Exocrine secretion containing bicarbonate and digestive enzymes delivered to the duodenum.
Inactive forms of digestive enzymes stored and secreted by exocrine pancreatic cells, which become active during digestion.
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