Changes

==Histology==

==Histology==

===Exocrine===

===Exocrine===

[[Image:Islet and acini.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Acini and islet of Langerhans - © RVC 2008]]

[[Image:Islet and acini.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Acini and islet of Langerhans - © RVC 2008]]

*Consists of acini, which resemble bunches of grapes.

The exocrine pancreas consists of '''acini''', which resemble bunches of grapes. Each acinus consists of a single layer of 40 - 50 pyramidal epithelial cells surrounding a lumen. The epithelial cells produce the secretion (pancreatic juice) containing enzymes, ions and water. The cells become wider during active secretion. The base of the acinar cells are strongly basophilic owing to the presence of endoplasmic reticulum, where there is a high concentraion of RNA. This part of the cell therefore stains darker with haematoxylin and eosin. The apex of the cells is abundant with secretory granules containing the zymogen precursors of the pancreatic enzymes. The number of secretory granules increases after fasting, and decreases after a meal.

*Each acinus consists of a single layer of 40 - 50 pyramidal epithelial cells surrounding a lumen.

 

*The epithelial cells produce the secretion (pancreatic juice) containing enzymes, ions and water.

The lumen of the acini drain into the '''intercalated duct'''. Intercalated ducts converge to make larger interlobular ducts, which in turn converge to make interlobar ducts. '''Interlobar ducts''' are found in the connective tissue septa between lobules. Interlobar ducts join to form either the '''pancreatic''' or the '''accessory duct''', these ducts drain into the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]]. In some cases, the pancreatic duct unites with the bile duct, and bile and pancreatic juice enter the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] together.

**Cells become wider during active secretion.

*The base of the acinar cells are strongly basophilic owing to the presence of endoplasmic reticulum where there is a high concentraion of RNA. This part of the cell therefore stains darker with haematoxylin and eosin.

*The apex of the cells is abundant with secretory granules containing the zymogen precursors of the pancreatic enzymes.

**The number of secretory granules increases after fasting and decreases after a meal.

*The lumen of the acini drain into the intercalated duct.

**Intercalated ducts converge to make larger interlobular ducts, which in turn converge to make interlobar ducts.

***Interlobar ducts are found in the connective tissue septa between lobules.

***Interlobar ducts join to form either the pancreatic or the accessory duct.

****These ducts drain into the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]].

****In some cases the pancreatic duct unites with the bile duct, and bile and pancreatic juice enter the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] together.

===Endocrine===

===Endocrine===