The pancreas is an important gland with both endocrine and exocrine functions. It is located behind the stomach, between the duodenum and the spleen. The exocrine function involves secretion of pancreatic juice via ducts into the intestine. The endocrine function is vital in balancing blood sugar levels through the secretion of two hormones, insulin and glucagons. Insulin controls the uptake of glucose by body cells and a lack of hormone results in the sugar derived from food being excreted in the urine, the condition known as diabetes mellitus. Glucagons work in the opposite sense to insulin and increases the supply of bloody sugar through the breakdown of glycogen in the liver to produce glucose.
Tags: Pancreas
