Pancreas
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
The pancreas is an organ in the Digestive System and an endocrine gland.
The Pancreas and Digestion
- The pancreas produces digestive enzymes including amylase, protease and lipase.
- The digestive enzymes are passed down the pancreatic duct which joins with the bile duct before arriving in the Small Intestine.
The Pancreas as an Endocrine Gland
- The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose levels.
- In Diabetes Type 1 the pancreas is damaged and cannot produce insulin to regulate blood glucose levels.
- In Diabetes Type 2 the pancreas may be overworked having to produce much more insulin than it would in a healthy animal.