Pancreas Research Paper

The pancreas is a compound glandular organ; derived from the endoderm, and is located in the retroperitoneum associated with several vital structures, which complicate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Normally it has an average weight of 90 g, and is shaped like a tadpole, that is divided into four main anatomical areas: head, neck, body, and tail (7). The pancreatic head is the thickest portion of the pancreas and lies within the C-loop of the duodenum, to the right of the superior mesenteric and portal veins. The neck of the pancreas is the narrowest portion of the gland with a width less than 2 cm; lengthwise it traverses the mesenteric blood vessels anteriorly, connecting the pancreatic head and body. The pancreatic body is located between the neck and tail of the pancreas, and sits above the superior mesenteric artery and vein. The pancreatic tail extends from the pancreas body to the splenic hilum. The pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsüng) traverses the entire pancreas …show more content…
Approximately 85% of the pancreas is composed of a branching network of acinar (meaning ‘cluster of grapes’) and duct cells. These cellular clusters make up the exocrine portion of the pancreas that produce and deliver digestive pro-enzymes, pancreatic fluid, and electrolytes into the gastrointestinal tract. Acinar cells synthesize and secrete zymogen granules that are released at the cell apex by exocytosis into the ductal system. Multiple defense mechanisms exist to prevent premature intra-acinar enzyme activation; a key feature of acute pancreatitis, by compartmentalization of zymogen granules from lysozymes, and by synthesizing trypsin inhibitors and antiproteases. Normally activation of the zymogens occurs in the duodenum, by cleavage of trypsinogen to trypsin via duodenal mucosal enteropeptidase, which in turn activates other digestive