2. Pancreas The pancreas is both an endocrine and an exocrine gland. It is a wedge-shaped elongated gland which lies in the abdominal cavity. Structurally the pancreas can be divided into three regions: the head, which lies over the vena cava in the C-shaped curve of the duodenum; the body, which lies behind the duodenum; and the tail, which is situated under the spleen. The pancreas is composed of two types of cell, exocrine and endocrine cells.
6. Insulin Beta cells have channels in their plasma membrane that serve as glucose detectors. Beta cells secrete insulin in response to a rising level of circulating glucose ("blood sugar"). Physiological effects The actions of insulin on the global human metabolism level include: Control of cellular intake of certain substances, most prominently glucose in muscle and adipose tissue (about ⅔ of body cells). Increase of DNA replication and protein synthesis via control of amino acid uptake. Modification of the activity of numerous enzymes.