Pancreas structure (and exocrine role)

• Pancreas - 85 % exocrine tissue


  • acinar cells
  • ducts
• Acinar cells


  produce digestive enzymes
• Pancreas exocrine tissue

  • built like lungs in term of branching
  • pancreatic duct empties into the duodenum -> small intestine
• Pancreas - 15 % exocrine tissue


  • islet of langerhans
  • clusters around blood capillaries
• Inside islet of langerhans

  • alpha cells that secrete glucagon
  • beta cells that secrete insulin