Anatomy and Physiology (Dka) Introduction
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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY The pancreas is located retroperitoneal, posterior to the stomach in the inferior part of the left upper quadrant. It has a head near the midline of the body and a tail that extends to the left where it touches the spleen. It is a complex organ composed of both endocrine and exocrine tissues that perform several functions.
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anatomy and physiology of DKA
Transcript of Anatomy and Physiology (Dka) Introduction
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
The pancreas is located retroperitoneal, posterior to the stomach in the inferior part of the left upper quadrant. It has a head near the midline of the body and a tail that extends to the left where it touches the spleen. It is a complex organ composed of both endocrine and exocrine tissues that perform several functions.
The exocrine part of the pancreas is a compound acinar gland. The acini produce digestive enzymes. Clusters of acini are connected by small ducts, which join to form larger ducts, and the larger ducts join to form the pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct and empties into the duodenum.
The endocrine part of the pancreas consists of pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) dispersed among the exocrine portion of the pancreas.
The islets secrete two hormones insulin and glucagon which function to help regulate blood nutrient levels, especially blood glucose.INSULIN
Released from the beta cells primarily in response to the elevated blood glucose levels and increased parasympathetic stimulation that is associated with digestion of a meal.GLUCAGON
Released from the alpha cells when blood glucose levels are low. Glucagon binds to membrane-bound receptors primarily in the liver to cause the conversion of glycogen stored in the liver to glucose.
Insulin and glucagon function together to regulate blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels increase, insulin secretion increases, and glucagon secretion decreases. When blood glucose levels decrease, the rate of insulin secretion declines, and the rate of glucagon secretion increases.
BLOOD GLUCOSE
Body tissues obtain glucose from the blood. In non-diabetic individuals, fasting blood glucose levels are tightly regulated between 80 and 90 mg/dL. After a meal, blood glucose levels rise, and insulin is secreted in response to this rise in glucose. Approximately two thirds of the glucose that is ingested with a meal is removed from the blood and stored in the liver as glycogen. Between meals, the liver releases glucose as a means of maintaining blood glucose within its normal range.
