The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that has both exocrine and endocrine functions. Its exocrine function is to produce enzymes that help digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Its endocrine function is to produce the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels. Diseases of the pancreas include pancreatitis, which is inflammation that can be acute from gallstones or alcohol and chronic from long-term damage, and pancreatic cancer.
2. What is the pancreas?
The organ that will be
focused on in this
presentation is the
pancreas. The Pancreas is
a large gland located in the
abdomen behind the
stomach which secretes
digestive enzymes into the
duodenum (the first part of
the small intestine)
3. What are the functions of the
pancreas?
1.Exocrine Function: 2.Endocrine Function:
4. Exocrine Functions
1. There are exocrine glands located in the pancreas which produce enzymes
that help in the digestion.
2. These enzymes contain trypsin and chymotrypsin which digest proteins. The
enzyme amylase is used for the digestion of carbohydrates and lipase is an
enzyme used to break down fats.
3. When foods enter the stomach, pancreatic juices are released into a system
of ducts that end up in the main pancreatic duct.
4. Ampulla of Vater: Formed from ducts of the pancreatic duct and the common
bile duct, also known as the duodenum.
5. When combined, the pancreatic juices and the bile from the liver and
gallbladder, released from the duodenum, helps the body digest fats,
carbohydrates and proteins.
5.
6. Endocrine Function:
1. Important hormones are created and released by islet cells
directly into the bloodstream from the endocrine component
in the pancreas.
2. The hormones released from the pancreas: insulin and
glucagon.
3. Insulin: Lowers blood sugar
4. Glucagon: Raises blood sugar
5. The pancreas is not the only organ which regulates blood
sugar, the brain, liver and kidneys do as well.
7.
8. Diseases of the Pancreas
■ Pancreatitis ■ Pancreatic Cancer ■ Type 1 Diabetes
9. Pancreatitis What is Pancreatitis?
■ It is when the pancreas is
inflamed.
■ It occurs when enzymes
discharge begins to
accumulate , which then
begins to digest the organ
itself.
10. There are 2 types of Pancreatitis
which are:
Acute Pancreatitis Chronic Pancreatitis
11. Acute
Pancreatitis
■ Acute Pancreatitis is the sudden creation of pancreatitis.
Causes
■ Often a result of gallstones or alcohol ingestion.
■ It is a reaction to specific medications, traumas, and infections.
Symptoms
■ Jaundice, low-grade fever, nausea or vomiting, lowered blood pressure,
clammy skin and pain in the upper-middle part of the abdomen.
Diagnosis
■ Doctors analyze medical history, physical examination and blood test for
digestive enzymes of the pancreas.
■ Blood or lipid levels are usually 3 times the normal level during this disease.
Treatment/ Cure
■ Treatments included nutritional support from feeding tubes/ intravenous
nutrition.
■ In severe cases, surgery is mandatory to remove a part, or the entire pancreas.
■ Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): a procedure that
combines upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and x rays to treat issues with the
pancreas.
■ Pain medication is extremely necessary for this disease since it is a long and
painful process to get rid of.
12. Chronic
Pancreatitis
■ Chronic Pancreatitis is the disease in which the pancreas sustains damage
and loses the ability to function over time.
Causes
■ Causes include: continuous alcoholic ingestion, gallstones, diseases like
cystic fibrosis and autoimmune diseases, and sometimes it can be
hereditary.
Symptoms
■ Symptoms include: abdominal and/or back pain, weight loss, nausea and
vomiting, the beginning of diabetes, and pale colored, oily urine samples.
Diagnosis
■ Radiography (x-ray exams) like transabdominal ultrasound and endoscopic
ultrasound can examine the pancreas.
■ Blood tests aren’t helpful, like how it is acute.
■ Doctors will also examine the medical history of the patient.
Treatment/ Cure
■ Medications are necessary to treat chronic pancreatitis. For example: pain
medication, insulin, and steroids.
■ Endoscopy and surgery are different types of treatments for chronic
treatments.
