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Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:05, 21 July 2008
, 13:05, 21 July 2008→Exocrine Function
==Exocrine Function==
==Exocrine Function==
*Produces a juice containing digestive enzymes that discharges into the duodenum through ducts.
'''Alkaline Secretion'''
*The pancreas produces an alakaline secretion.
*Pancreatic juice discharges into the duodenum through ducts.
*Pancreatic juice is alkaline because it contains bicarbonate and chloride ions.
**Bicarbonate ions are actively transported into the duct lumen.
**Water follows passively by osmosis.
*Osmolarity of the pancreatic juice is equivalent to the osmolarity of the blood.
*Pancreatic juice is alkaline to neutralise the acidic gastric juice. This is advantageous because:
**It provides an optimal pH for the pancreatic enzymes.
**It prevents damage to the thin, absorptive mucosa of the duodenum.
*It's alkalinity also helps to buffer the large intestine which is important in [[Large Intestine - Hindgut Fermenters - Anatomy & Physiology|hindgut fermenters]]
'''Enzymatic Digestion'''
*The alkaline secretion contains digestive enyzmes that can digest protein, carbohydrates and lipids. Digestion is discussed in the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]].
*
==Endocrine Function==
==Endocrine Function==