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Endocrine pancreas (islets) releases hormones—insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin—to regulate blood glucose.
The pancreas is a mixed (heterocrine) gland with both endocrine and exocrine functions. About 99% of its tissue is exocrine, producing digestive secretions, while about 1% is endocrine, producing hormones that regulate metabolism. Endocrine function: The endocrine pancreas is organized into pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans). Alpha cells secrete glucagon to raise blood glucose, beta cells secrete insulin to lower blood glucose, and delta cells secrete somatostatin, which inhibits the release of insulin and glucagon. These hormones help maintain blood glucose homeostasis. 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. Together, these endocrine and exocrine roles link blood sugar regulation with digestion.
Endocrine pancreas (islets) releases hormones—insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin—to regulate blood glucose.
Exocrine pancreas secretes bicarbonate and digestive enzymes into the duodenum to support digestion.
The pancreas is predominantly exocrine (~99%) with a smaller endocrine component (~1%).
Hormone secretion by pancreatic islets into the bloodstream to regulate body metabolism, especially blood glucose.
Secretion of pancreatic juice through ducts into the duodenum to aid digestion.
Clusters of endocrine cells distributed throughout the pancreas that produce insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.
A hormone released by beta cells that lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake and metabolic use.
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 secretion of insulin and glucagon.
Exocrine secretion containing bicarbonate and digestive enzymes delivered to the duodenum.
Inactive forms of digestive enzymes produced by exocrine acinar cells that are activated during digestion.
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