Pancreas

• Exocrine gland = produces enzymes and releases them via a duct
• Endocrine gland = produces hormones and releases them into the blood
• Within the endocrine tissue in the pancreas there are regions called the islets of Langerhans. This is where insulin and glucagon are produced and secreted.
• Within the islets of Langerhans there are alpha cells and beta cells.
• Alpha cells produce and secrete glucagon.
• Beta cells produce and secrete insulin.
• Alpha cells are larger and more numerous within an islet.
• Within the exocrine tissue are pancreatic acini which produce and secrete digestive enzymes.