Pancreas | Health Encyclopedia: Pancreas

Pancreas: From 4 Different Sources

A tapered gland that lies across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The broadest part (head) is on the right-hand side. The main part (body) tapers from the head and extends horizontally. The narrowest part (tail) is on the left near the spleen.

The pancreas has a digestive and a hormonal function. It mostly consists of exocrine tissue, which secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct. Also secreted is sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid entering the duodenum. The pancreas also contains groups of endocrine cells, called the islets of Langerhans, which secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon. These hormones regulate the level of glucose in the blood.

The most common pancreatic disorder is diabetes mellitus.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

This is a gland situated above the navel in the abdominal cavity that extends from the left side to the center, with its head tucked into the curve of the duodenum. It is 6-8 inches long, weighs 3 or 4 ounces, secretes pancreatic enzymes and alkali into the duodenum in concert with the gallbladder and liver, and secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into the blood. Insulin acts to facilitate the absorption of blood glucose into fuel-needing cells, and glucagon stimulates a slow release of glucose from the liver, primarily to supply fuel to the brain. That most cherished organ uses one-quarter of the sugar in the blood and has no fuel storage. Pancreatic enzymes are basically those that digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins into their smaller components of fatty acids+glycerol, maltose, and amino acids...as well as curdling milk (thought you might want to know).

Health Source: Herbal Medical
Author: Health Dictionary

A gland situated in the back of the abdomen, at the level of the ?rst and second lumbar vertebrae. It lies behind the lower part of the stomach, an expanded portion – called the head of the pancreas – occupying the bend formed by the duodenum or ?rst part of the small intestine, whilst a long portion – known as the body

– extends to the left, ending in the tail which rests against the spleen. A duct runs through the whole gland from left to right, joined by many small branches in its course, and, leaving the head of the gland, unites with the bile duct from the liver to open into the side of the small intestine about 7·5–10 cm (3–4 inches) below the outlet of the stomach.

Scattered through the pancreas are collections of cells known as the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS, of which there are around a million in a normal individual. These do not communicate with the duct of the gland, and the internal secretion of the pancreas – INSULIN – is formed by these cells and absorbed directly into the blood.

Functions The most obvious function of the pancreas is the formation of the pancreatic juice, which is poured into the small intestine after the partially digested food has left the stomach. This is the most important of the digestive juices, is alkaline in reaction, and contains (in addition to various salts) four enzymes (see ENZYME) – TRYPSIN and CHYMOTRYPSIN, which digest proteins; AMYLASE, which converts starchy foods into the disaccharide maltose; and LIPASE, which breaks up fats. (See also DIGESTION.)

Inadequate production of insulin by the islets of Langerhans leads to the condition known as DIABETES MELLITUS. In addition to insulin, another hormone is produced by the pancreas: this is glucagon which has the opposite e?ect to insulin and raises the blood sugar by promoting the breakdown of liver glycogen.

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

n. a compound gland, about 15 cm long, that lies behind the stomach. One end lies in the curve of the duodenum; the other end touches the spleen. It is composed of clusters (acini) of cells that secrete *pancreatic juice. This contains a number of enzymes concerned in digestion. The juice drains into small ducts that open into the pancreatic duct. This unites with the common *bile duct and the secretions pass into the duodenum. Interspersed among the acini are the *islets of Langerhans – isolated groups of cells that secrete the hormones *insulin and *glucagon into the bloodstream.

Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Pancreas, Disorders Of

Diabetes See DIABETES MELLITUS.

Pancreatic cancer The incidence of pancreatic cancer is rising: around 7,000 cases are now diagnosed annually in the UK, accounting for 1–2 per cent of all malignancies. There is an established association with heavy cigarette-smoking, and the cancer is twice as common in patients with diabetes mellitus as compared with the general population. Cancer of the pancreas is hard to diagnose; by the time symptoms occur the tumour may be di?cult to treat surgically – with PALLIATIVE bypass surgery the only procedure.

Chronic pancreatitis may be painless; it leads to pancreatic failure causing MALABSORPTION SYNDROME and diabetes mellitus, and the pancreas becomes calci?ed with shadowing on X-RAYS. The malabsorption is treated by a low-fat diet with pancreatic enzyme supplements; the diabetes with insulin; and pain is treated appropriately. Surgery may be required.

Acute pancreatitis An uncommon disease of the pancreas which may start gradually or suddenly, usually accompanied by severe abdominal pain which often radiates through to the back. Biliary tract disease and alcohol account for 80 per cent of patients admitted with acute pancreatitis, while other causes include drugs (see AZATHIOPRINE and DIURETICS) and infections such as MUMPS. Patients are acutely ill with TACHYCARDIA, fever and low blood pressure; many go into SHOCK. The condition may be mistaken for a perforated PEPTIC ULCER, except that in acute pancreatitis the blood concentration of AMYLASE is raised. The main complication is the formation of a PSEUDOCYST. Treatment includes intravenous feeding, ANTICHOLINERGIC drugs and ANALGESICS. Regular measurements of blood GLUCOSE, CALCIUM, amylase and blood gases are required. Abdominal ULTRASOUND may identify gall-stones (see under GALL-BLADDER, DISEASES OF). If the patient deteriorates, he or she should be admitted for intensive care as haemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis may be developing. LAPAROTOMY and DEBRIDEMENT may be called for. Mortality is 5–10%.... pancreas, disorders of

Cancer – Pancreas

Adeno-carcinoma. Cause: often related to chronic pancreatitis, alcoholism. Beer drinkers, more than 7 pints a week, run a three times greater risk of the disease than one in a 100 threat to the rest of the population. (Imperial Cancer Research Report, April, 1989) Diabetes. A study carried out at Harvard School of Public Health found strong evidence in favour of the excessive consumption of coffee. Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons, who abstain from coffee, have much lower rates than the average. Relative risk was 1-8 with up to two cups a day and 2.7 with three or more. (New England Journal of Medicine, 1981, March 12, Vol 304, No 11, p630)

Symptoms. Weight loss. Pain upper abdomen. Change of bowel habit. Phlebitis. Low blood sugar. Sugar in the urine. Jaundice when head of the pancreas is involved. As little benefit is said to be gained from chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and because a majority of these tumours are unresectable, there would appear to be good grounds for herbal medicine, either as primary or supportive treatment.

Of possible therapeutic value for relief of accompanying gastric and pressure symptoms only: Sarsaparilla, Liquorice, Dandelion, Peppermint, Fennel, German Chamomile.

Tea. Barberry bark. 1 teaspoon to each cup of cold water. Steep overnight. Dose: half-1 cup 3 or more times daily.

Formula. Equal parts: Barberry bark, Dandelion, Galangal. Dose: Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon (5ml). Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Thrice daily to commence: after fourteen days increase as tolerated.

Primrose oil. High doses GLA believed to improve immune system and prevent weight loss.

Macrobiotic diet. A retired English doctor had cancer of the pancreas, inoperable, the size of a cricket ball, for which conventional treatment could do nothing. Regression being almost impossible, he would die within a few months. In the meantime he was advised to try the Macrobiotic diet comprising wholefoods, compost grown vegetables, vegetable oils and natural drinks such as carrot juice and herbal teas. He and his wife, living in Italy, carefully followed the diet, drank water only from a local spring and ate vegetables organically grown on their own land. The tumour diminished in size and the doctor recovered.

Note: Cessation of cigarette smoking will result in a decreased incidence of the disease in the male adult population. (American Journal of Public Health 1989 79 1016)

A substance found in fish oil has been shown experimentally to prevent cancer of the pancreas. Mackerel, herring and sardines are among fish with the ingredient.

Treatment by oncologist or general practitioner. ... cancer – pancreas

Pancreas Divisum

a congenital abnormality in which the pancreas develops in two parts draining separately into the duodenum, the small ventral pancreas through the main ampulla and the larger dorsal pancreas through an accessory papilla. In rare instances this is associated with recurrent abdominal pain, probably due to inadequate drainage of the dorsal pancreas. Diagnosis is made by CT imaging, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), or *ERCP.... pancreas divisum

Pancreas, Cancer Of

A cancerous tumour of the exocrine tissue of the pancreas. The cause is unknown, but smoking and a high intake of fats or alcohol may be contributing factors. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice. There may also be indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and tiredness. In many cases, symptoms do not appear until the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Diagnosis usually requires ultrasound scanning, CT scanning or MRI of the upper abdomen, or ERCP.

In early stages, pancreatectomy, radiotherapy and anticancer drugs may provide a cure.

In later stages, little can be done apart from provision of palliative treatment.... pancreas, cancer of

Pancreas Health Dictionary

Pancreas: From 4 Different Sources

Fibrocystic Disease Of The Pancreas

Pancreas, Disorders Of

Cancer – Pancreas

Pancreas Divisum

Pancreas, Cancer Of

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