Endocrine

Human organs

Pancreas

Pancreas

A dual-purpose gland that releases digestive enzymes into the gut and the hormones that steady blood sugar.

Function

Digestive enzymes and insulin

Location

Behind the stomach, across the upper abdomen

Structures

6 labelled

Pancreas

Structures to know

• Head · Caput pancreatis — Cradled by the duodenum
• Body · Corpus pancreatis — Crosses the spine
• Tail · Cauda pancreatis — Reaches the spleen
• Pancreatic Duct · Ductus pancreaticus — Drains enzymes to the gut
• Neck · Collum pancreatis — The narrow join between head and body
• Islets of Langerhans · Insulae pancreaticae — Release insulin and glucagon