The Pancreas Flashcards Preview

MIDW1002 Scientific Underpinnings of Midwifery Care > The Pancreas > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Pancreas Deck (5)
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1
Q

Describe the appearance and position of the pancreas

A
  • accessory digestive organ
  • pink-yellow gland
  • situated just below the stomach
  • head is surrounded by loop of duodenum
2
Q

What is in the pancreatic juice produced by the exocrine glands?

A
  • water, salts, sodium bicarbonate and enzymes
  • the sodium bicarbonate gives the pancreatic juice an alkaline pH necessary for the pancreatic enzymes to act on the chyme in the duodenum
3
Q

Describe the function of the pancreas in relation to its exocrine and endocrine function

A
  • An organ which is both an Endocrine gland and an Exocrine gland
  • Cells with an EXOCRINE function (acinar cells) are found in clusters around the pancreatic duct - secrete digestive enzymes into the pancreatic duct, they are then carried in fluid to the small intestine
  • trypsin and chymotrypsin - digest proteins
  • pancreatic amylase - digest carbohydrates
  • pancreatic lipase - digest fats

• cells with an ENDOCRINE function (islet of langerhans) are made up of alpha and beta cells

     - found in clusters around blood capillaries 
     - secrete hormones directly into the blood 
     - a cells - manufacture and secrete glucagon 
     - B cells - manufacture and secrete insulin
4
Q

Describe what happens if glucose levels rise

A
  • Detected by Beta Cells in the Islet of Langherans (IoL)
  • Beta Cells secrete Insulin into the blood
  • Insulin binds to receptors on hepatocytes
  • Muscle Cells take up Glucose and convert it to Glycogen or use it in respiration.
  • Hepatocytes take up Glucose and convert it to Glycogen (GLYCOGENESIS)
  • Blood Glucose levels fall back normal levels
5
Q

Describe what happens if blood glucose levels fall

A
  • Detected by Alpha Cells in the Islet of Langherans (IoL)
  • Alpha Cells secrete Glucagon into the blood
  • Glucagon binds to receptors on Hepatocytes
  • Hepatocytes releases Glucose by Glycogenolysis.
  • Glycogen ▶️ Glucose (GLUCONEOGENESIS)
  • Making new Glucose from Amino Acids
  • Glucose is released into the blood
  • Blood Glucose levels rise back normal levels