The Pancreas

The pancreas is part of the body that is found in the belly. Part of the pancreas is located between the stomach and the spine and the other part is part of the first section of the small intestine.

The pancreas makes up an important part of the digestive system. The pancreas is a flat gland that is long and helps to make sure that the blood sugar levels stay regulated and at the right level.

Enzymes and Hormones

The pancreas secretes enzymes that are used to digest food. These enzymes are proteases, amylase and lipase.

These different enzymes are released into the duodenum, which is located in the small intestine and these different enzymes make sure that food such as proteins, fat and sugars are digested.

The pancreas is responsible for secreting a hormone that the body has called insulin and glucagon and secretes these hormones into the blood.

A Healthy Pancreas

When a pancreas is healthy, it helps to give enough chemicals to help the body to digest food.

The pancreas has what is called an exocrine gland which helps to create the enzymes that make food digest.

These enzymes help to digest proteins, carbohydrates, fats and other food when it goes into the body.

The pancreas releases a juice which goes into the pancreatic duct when food enters into the stomach.

Glucagon and Insulin

The two hormones, glucagon and insulin help to regulate the blood sugar. Glucagon helps to raise the blood sugar and insulin helps to lower the blood sugar.

Diseases of the Pancreas

Some diseases that are associated with the pancreas are diabetes, pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Facts About the Pancreas:

• The pancreas is a triangular organ that produces enzymes.
• The pancreas has four different parts, the head, neck, body and tail.
• Many blood vessels surround the pancreas.
• The pancreas is made up of exocrine tissue that makes pancreatic enzymes for digestion.
• When a pancreas is healthy, it gives our bodies the exact amount of chemicals to help digest food perfectly.

What Did You Learn?

• The pancreas produces two hormones, what are they? The pancreas produces glucagon and insulin.
• Which hormone increases the blood sugar? Glucagon helps to increase the blood sugar.
• Which hormone decreases the blood sugar? Insulin helps to decrease the blood sugar.
• What does the pancreas release to help digest food? The pancreas, if it is healthy, releases just the right amount of chemicals to digest food.
• Where is the pancreas located? The pancreas is located in the belly and part of the pancreas is found in part of the small intestine.

• Back to – Biology