2009•Humana Press eBooksRequires access
The Pancreas
Juan Domínguez‐Bendala
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Abstract
The pancreas is a unique organ that encompasses both endocrine and exocrine functions. Here we review its main anatomical features, including its innervation and vasculature, the exocrine acinar tissue (which secretes a variety of enzymes that take part in food digestion), the ductal system (which collects exocrine secretions and is thought to harbor pancreatic stem cells), and the endocrine component, also termed the islets of Langerhans. These cell clusters, embedded in the pancreatic parenchyma, synthesize and secrete into the bloodstream some of the most important hormones involved in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis.