Exocrine Glands
| gland that secretes through a duct: a gland that releases a secretion through a duct to the surface of an organ, e.g. the sweat and salivary glands |
Microsoft® Encarta® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. * As part of the Endocrine System
The pancreas is positioned in the upper abdomen, just under the stomach. The major part of the pancreas, called the exocrine pancreas, functions as an exocrine gland, secreting digestive enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract. Distributed through the pancreas are clusters of endocrine cells that secrete insulin, glucagon, and somastatin. These hormones all participate in regulating energy and metabolism in the body.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. * As part of the Pancreas
The pancreas has both an exocrine and an endocrine secretion. The exocrine secretion is made up of a number of enzymes that are discharged into the intestine to aid in digestion. The endocrine secretion, insulin, is important in the metabolism of sugar in the body (see Sugar Metabolism). Insulin is produced in small groups of especially modified glandular cells in the pancreas; these cell groups are known as the islets of Langerhans. The failure of these cells to secrete sufficient amounts of insulin causes diabetes (see Diabetes Mellitus). In 1968 a team of surgeons at the medical school of the University of Minnesota performed the first pancreas transplants on four diabetics, using the pancreases of cadavers. Pancreas transplants remain notably difficult, with only about one in ten lasting for more than a year, even with the advent of drugs such as cyclosporine (see Transplantation, Medical).
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. * Endo-Exocrine Gland
Endocrine organs are sometimes called ductless glands because they have no ducts connecting them to specific body parts. The hormones they secrete are released
Microsoft® Encarta® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. * As part of the Endocrine System
The pancreas is positioned in the upper abdomen, just under the stomach. The major part of the pancreas, called the exocrine pancreas, functions as an exocrine gland, secreting digestive enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract. Distributed through the pancreas are clusters of endocrine cells that secrete insulin, glucagon, and somastatin. These hormones all participate in regulating energy and metabolism in the body.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. * As part of the Pancreas
The pancreas has both an exocrine and an endocrine secretion. The exocrine secretion is made up of a number of enzymes that are discharged into the intestine to aid in digestion. The endocrine secretion, insulin, is important in the metabolism of sugar in the body (see Sugar Metabolism). Insulin is produced in small groups of especially modified glandular cells in the pancreas; these cell groups are known as the islets of Langerhans. The failure of these cells to secrete sufficient amounts of insulin causes diabetes (see Diabetes Mellitus). In 1968 a team of surgeons at the medical school of the University of Minnesota performed the first pancreas transplants on four diabetics, using the pancreases of cadavers. Pancreas transplants remain notably difficult, with only about one in ten lasting for more than a year, even with the advent of drugs such as cyclosporine (see Transplantation, Medical).
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. * Endo-Exocrine Gland
Endocrine organs are sometimes called ductless glands because they have no ducts connecting them to specific body parts. The hormones they secrete are released