The pancreas is a highly important but often forgotten organ. It is present in most vertebrates in some form. Because of its non-structural nature, the form and even the relative location of the pancreas can vary widely. Furthermore, the pancreas performs functions for two distinct systems of a body, a fact that lends itself to wide variation in organ form. That is, across species, an organ such as a heart will be roughly the same basic layout because of its specific function (pumping blood), and dedication to one system only (the circulatory).
While the pancreas is a distinct organ in humans, in many other animals it is a series of nodes either in the body cavity or imbedded in the wall of the stomach. Rabbits, for example, have pancreatic tissue distributed throughout several organs including the liver and spleen. These mini-pancreases secrete fluid into the bloodstream and digestive tract as needed.
In humans embryos the pancreas forms from two separate nodes, from the same structures that eventually become the liver and gall bladder. As the duodenum forms (from another structure), it twists and moves the ventral lobe of what will eventually be the pancreas, until the ventral lobe meets the dorsal lobe. These ducts fuse, resulting in a complete pancreas. Because the pancreas is initially comprised of these two separate structures, it is well adapted to perform two largely independent functions.
The pancreas interacts with both the digestive and endocrine systems. As a digestive organ, the pancreas has to be responsive to the day-to-day rhythm of the diet. Much like the liver, the pancreas secretes fluids that break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In this role, the pancreas must react to the presence of food in the intestine directly. As an organ of the endocrine system, the pancreas secretes four substances.
The first hormone the pancreas secretes is well known, especially among diabetics - insulin. Insulin decreases blood glucose, by increasing the body's ability to absorb it. Insulin's counterpart, glucagon, increases glucose in the blood by inducing the cells of the muscles, liver, brain and other organs to absorb and use it. This balance is crucial to maintaining proper energy levels. It is somewhat determined by frequency of diet, but is also influenced by activity level. That is, a diet high in sugar could spike blood sugar, unless balanced by an intense period of physical activity, which tends to lower blood sugar.
Two other hormones released by the endocrine pancreas are somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. These two substances are perhaps lesser-known because of their more silent roles. However, their functions in regulating the production of other hormones, including growth hormones, are no less important.
Cancer of the pancreas is a serious, and often life-threatening malady. Often, cancer of the pancreas is not detected until corrective remedies are no longer effective, due to the pancreas's background role and physical position deep within the body cavity. Survival is generally poor, with pancreatic cancer claiming the lives of up to a quarter of those afflicted.
Clinical research is crucial to develop more effective methods of detecting and treating cancer of the pancreas. While research for more high-profile disorders such as breast cancer often get the lion's share of the spotlight, pancreatic cancer research is no less important.
While the pancreas is a distinct organ in humans, in many other animals it is a series of nodes either in the body cavity or imbedded in the wall of the stomach. Rabbits, for example, have pancreatic tissue distributed throughout several organs including the liver and spleen. These mini-pancreases secrete fluid into the bloodstream and digestive tract as needed.
In humans embryos the pancreas forms from two separate nodes, from the same structures that eventually become the liver and gall bladder. As the duodenum forms (from another structure), it twists and moves the ventral lobe of what will eventually be the pancreas, until the ventral lobe meets the dorsal lobe. These ducts fuse, resulting in a complete pancreas. Because the pancreas is initially comprised of these two separate structures, it is well adapted to perform two largely independent functions.
The pancreas interacts with both the digestive and endocrine systems. As a digestive organ, the pancreas has to be responsive to the day-to-day rhythm of the diet. Much like the liver, the pancreas secretes fluids that break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In this role, the pancreas must react to the presence of food in the intestine directly. As an organ of the endocrine system, the pancreas secretes four substances.
The first hormone the pancreas secretes is well known, especially among diabetics - insulin. Insulin decreases blood glucose, by increasing the body's ability to absorb it. Insulin's counterpart, glucagon, increases glucose in the blood by inducing the cells of the muscles, liver, brain and other organs to absorb and use it. This balance is crucial to maintaining proper energy levels. It is somewhat determined by frequency of diet, but is also influenced by activity level. That is, a diet high in sugar could spike blood sugar, unless balanced by an intense period of physical activity, which tends to lower blood sugar.
Two other hormones released by the endocrine pancreas are somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. These two substances are perhaps lesser-known because of their more silent roles. However, their functions in regulating the production of other hormones, including growth hormones, are no less important.
Cancer of the pancreas is a serious, and often life-threatening malady. Often, cancer of the pancreas is not detected until corrective remedies are no longer effective, due to the pancreas's background role and physical position deep within the body cavity. Survival is generally poor, with pancreatic cancer claiming the lives of up to a quarter of those afflicted.
Clinical research is crucial to develop more effective methods of detecting and treating cancer of the pancreas. While research for more high-profile disorders such as breast cancer often get the lion's share of the spotlight, pancreatic cancer research is no less important.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about clinical studies, then visit Edmund Pasternak's site on how to choose the best pancreatic cancer research for your needs.