Human Digestive System/Pancreas

Pancreas is a digestive gland which helps to digest the food by secreting pancreatic juice. It is located inside the abdomen, just behind the stomach. It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body's cells.

The pancreas has two main functions: an exocrine function that helps in digestion and an endocrine function that regulates blood sugar.

Exocrine Function

The pancreas contains exocrine glands that produce pancreatic juices important to digestion. The pancreatic juices and bile that are released into the duodenum, help the body to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Endocrine Function

The endocrine component of the pancreas create and release important hormones directly into the bloodstream. Two of the main pancreatic hormones are insulin, which acts to lower blood sugar, and glucagon, which acts to raise blood sugar.