Diseases and ConditionsThe Pancreas The Pancreas: Anatomy and
Functions Tests and ProceduresComputed Tomography (CT or CAT)
Scan of the Pancreas The pancreas is an oblong flat gland, about
six inches long, located below the liver, deep in the abdomen,
between the stomach and the spine. It is about as long as your
hand in an irregular tube shape. The pancreas has two types of
cells: Endocrine. The endocrine cells, the beta islet cells,
produce and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon into the
bloodstream. These two hormones work together to regulate the
level of sugar in the blood. Exocrine. The exocrine cells
produce and secrete enzymes into the duodenum, the first part of
the small intestine, where they break down protein,
carbohydrates, and fat into simpler components that can be
easily absorbed. There are three major classes of enzymes. The
enzyme trypsin breaks proteins down into peptides and amino
acids. Lipase breaks fats down into short-chain fatty acids that
can be easily absorbed. Amylase breaks