A little about Pancreas
The word ‘pancreas’ comes from the Greek language and means ‘all-flesh’. The pancreas is a vital part of the digestive system. It has 2- main functions:
1) It makes pancreatic juices – that help the body to digest fats, proteins and carbohydrates
2) It secrets insulin – a hormone that enables the human body to use stored fats and sugars
Pancreas Trivia – Pancreas was first identified by Herophilus (335280 BC), a Greek surgeon and anatomist. Hundred years later, Ruphos, another Greek anatomist, gave pancreas its name.
Where is Your Pancreas Located?
The pancreas is a glandular organ in the upper half of the abdomen. It lies across the body, where ribs connect at the bottom of the breastbone, just behind the stomach. It is an elongated, tapered gland, around 6 inches long and is shaped like a tadpole. The right side of the pancreas is called the ‘head’ (the widest part of the organ) and sits in the curve of the duodenum. The tapered left side of the pancreas extends somewhat upwards (called the ‘head’), and finishes near the spleen (called the tail).
The pancreas is made up of 2- kinds of glands
- Exocrine – The gland secrets digestive enzymes. The digestive enzymes are secreted into a network of ducts, which connects to the main pancreatic duct that runs via the length of the pancreas.
- Endocrine – The gland has islets of Langerhans and secretes hormones into the bloodstream.
Since pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, tumors here cannot be sensed easily, and this reason why general pancreatic cancer does not show any signs at the initial stages of its development.
Visualizing the location – A Closer View
Take your right hand and then bring the pinkie finger and thumb together. Ensure that the rest of the fingers are jointed and straight. Now put your right hand in the center of the stomach just below the lower ribs. Make sure that your fingers are pointed to the left. Then you may know that your hand and pancreas are at the same level. This is a simple method that you can use to know where your pancreas is located.
Functions of Pancreas
Your Pancreas is working hard to maintain your overall health!
The pancreas plays two main functions:
- Digestive Function, and
- Hormonal function
Digestive functions
Around 90% of the pancreas is committed to making digestive enzymes (or pancreatic enzymes). The prominent ones are amylase, lipase, and proteases. The table below describes what the enzymes are along with their respective functions.
The pancreatic enzymes are vital for breaking the food into substances that our body can absorb easily. Simply put, these enzymes are biological catalysts. The enzymes accountable for helping in the digestion process are produced in the specialized areas of the pancreas called ‘acinar cells.’ The pancreas produces around 8-cups of pancreatic juice per day and releases it into the duodenum. The juice creates a suitable environment for enzymes to work properly.
The enzymes travel in a tube known as duodenum, which is the first part of small intestines, and here enzymes break food into small particles that can be absorbed through the small intestines’ walls into the bloodstream and then distributed all around the body.
Enzyme
Amylase – This enzyme is secreted from the pancreas in the form of juice called pancreatic juice that contains water and sodium bicarbonate along with digestive enzymes. Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes the acidic material entering duodenum.
Proteases – Proteases in pancreatic juice are secreted in an inactive form, which averts digestion of proteins that form a fundamental part of the pancreas. The inactive proteases (chymotrypsinogen and trysinogen) do not turn active until they enter the duodenum. In duodenum, they are converted into chymotrypsinogen and trysinogen.
Lipase – The enzyme works together with the bile to break down fats, so that the body can absorb them easily.
Hormone Functions
Around 5% of the pancreas produces hormones (or Pancreatic Hormones) that regulate the metabolism of the body. The pancreas includes patches of tissues known as islets (or islands) of Langerhans. There are approximately one million of these islets in the adult pancreas. Each islet includes endocrine tissue that produces hormones and releases them into the blood. There are several hormones produced by these cells:
- Insulin
- Samotostatin
- Gastrin
- Glucagon
Hormones
Insulin – It is a tiny protein that performs several functions. It helps control the blood sugar level by connecting the receptor on the membrane, which covers the body cells.
Gastrin – It helps in the digestion of food in the stomach
Glucagon – It works along with insulin to keep the blood sugar levels balanced
Samotostatin – It helps to regulate the release of other hormones
The best known pancreatic hormones are glucagon and insulin – especially due to their relation to diabetes.
Now that you know what pancreas is, how it looks like and what functions it performs in the body, it is extremely important for you to know what are the problems or diseases associated with it that can damage your pancreas.
Pancreas Disorders
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and it is a short-term problem. If not cured, acute pancreatitis can become chronic pancreatitis. This is a medical emergency and entails immediate treatment. It develops when pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed and the enzymes cannot leave the pancreas and hence cause burning and irritation. Moreover, enzymes may leech into the abdominal cavity. There are many possible causes of acute pancreatitis, built the 2- most common ones are consumption of excessive amount so alcohol and blockage of passageways with gallstones. Other factors that may cause acute pancreatitis include:
- Mumps
- Pancreatic cancer
- Certain drugs
- Damage to the pancreas
Symptoms
- Pain in the center of the abdomen, which ranges from subtle to severe
- Rapid pulse
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- In severe cases – low blood pressure and dehydration
Treatment
The treatment of acute pancreatitis primarily depends on how serve the attack was. Usually, strong pain killers are provided to the patient. Antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor and gallstones may be surgically removed. Additional supportive measures, like intravenous fluids, may be mandatory in severe cases or surgery may be done to remove the damaged pancreatic tissue.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatic refers to recurring attacks of inflammation, even when the known cause (like alcohol intake) is eliminated. Alcoholics are at high risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. The relentless inflammation damages parts of the pancreas, disturbing its smooth functioning. The person may develop diabetes if the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer rises in people with chronic pancreatitis.
Symptoms
- Digestive upsets
- Passing foul smelling, fatty stools
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Treatments
People with chronic pancreatitis may require taking pancreatic enzymes along with their meals to aid food digestion. Additionally, insulin may also be required to be taken in case diabetes has developed.
Diabetes
In some instances, the islets of Langerhans stop producing insulin, so sugar level in the blood remains high. In other instances, insulin is produced; however, the body is unable to use it, for reason unrecognized. Complications of high blood sugar are:
- Nerve damage
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Kidney damage
- Eye damage
- Increased risk of stroke
Symptoms
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Hunger
- Tingling in the feet
- Slow healing of Wounds
- Blurred vision
Treatments
Diabetic people need to substitute insulin normally produced in the body with insulin injections and need to diligently manage their nutrition and do regular exercise.
Pancreatic Cancer
In October 2003, Steve Jobs (Late CEO of Apple Inc.) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The condition triggers in the duct cells and spreads into the pancreas. Nearby nerves and blood vessels may be invaded as well. Without treatment, this kind of cancer will spread to an abdominal organ and other parts of the body through the lymphatic system. The causes are still unidentified, however, risk factors may include:
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Advancing age (above 65 years)
- Cigarette smoking
Symptoms
- Lower back and abdominal pain
- Significant weight loss
- Grey or pale stool, as well as steatorrhea
- Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
- Jaundice
What Happens Pancreas is Removed?
Now that you know where your pancreas is and you know that there are many people who have no pancreas on the mentioned location – I mean people who get their damaged pancreas surgically removed – so you must be longing to know what happens if your pancreas is removed.
In case, you have some part of your pancreas tissue (damaged) removed, you will likely still make sufficient insulin. However, your physician will need to regularly monitor blood sugar levels to ensure that you do not develop diabetes. You may not be able to make enough digestive enzymes, however, you can take supplements of enzymes when you have your meals.
In case, you have your pancreas removed completely, you will need to take pancreatic enzymes supplements and insulin injections. Since your body will be incapable to make its own insulin, you will develop diabetes.
Fascinating Facts About Pancreas
Along with the knowledge about the pancreas location and its functions, you must know some really fascinating facts about it as well:
Did you know?
- The National Academy of Sciences, United States, has found that the pancreas has “taste receptors”. The pancreas is created by the Almighty to detect glucose in the blood and when this occurs the hormone insulin is released. Insulin helps to control sugar levels in the blood within healthy limits.
- Before the actual function of the pancreas was identified it was thought that because of its rubbery structure – it was a shock absorber to safeguard the stomach from being damaged against the vertebral column.
- When we reach the age of 70, the body releases only half the amount of enzymes that it did at the age of 20
Tips to Maintain Healthy Pancreas
Following a nutritious, balanced diet, doing recommended exercises regularly, avoiding intake of excessive alcohol and saying NO to smoking – all this can help keep your pancreas healthy, pink and functioning.
We hope, now you must have got answers to all your questions – where your pancreas, why you have it, keeping it healthy, treatments if it stops functioning and living without it.
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