Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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In this video, we look at the endocrine and exocrine roles of the pancreas. First, we explore the structure of the pancreas. We then look at how the pancreas acts as an exocrine organ by secreting enzymes into the digestive system. This includes the role of Acinar cells. Finally we look at how the pancreas acts as an endocrine organ by secreting insulin and glucagon. This includes the roles of the Islets of Langerhans, alpha cells and beta cells.

Image credits

Adult digestive system
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adult_Digestive_System.png
BruceBlaus, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pancreas
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Normal_pancreas_.jpg
ChocChocsugarsugar, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Islet of Langerhans
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Langerhanssche_Insel.jpg
User:Polarlys, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Immunostained Islet of Langerhans
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pancreaticislet.jpg
Masur, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons