Anatomy of the Pancreas

Click to Enlarge: Close-up of the Pancreas and Isle of Langerhans

The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It is about 6 inches long. One end is wide and tapers to a narrow tail at the other end. The wide end is called the head. The middle is called the body. The narrow end is called the tail.

The pancreas makes juices and hormones. These 2 substances help your body break down the food you eat and turn it into the energy your body needs.

Pancreatic juices contain chemicals called enzymes that help you digest food. These enzymes are made in exocrine cells. The pancreas releases these juices when they are needed during meals. These juices enter your body through tubes called ducts.

The main pancreatic duct is at the head of the pancreas. It joins the common bile duct, which comes from the liver and gallbladder. The juices from the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder mix together. The pancreatic duct opens into the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. In the duodenum, the juices help break down fats, sugars, and proteins from the food you eat. About 85% of all pancreatic cancers are found in the exocrine cells.

Hormones are chemicals that help your body control how it works. The pancreatic exocrine cells make many hormones, including insulin and glucagon. These hormones help your body use and store the energy created from the food you eat. About 15% of all pancreatic cancers are found in endocrine cells. Because they are less common and treatment varies widely, endocrine cancers are not discussed here.

Location of the Pancreas (a) This dual-purpose organ is located in the abdominal cavity. It produces digestive enzymes, which it releases into the bloodstream. (b) hormones are produced by small clumps of cells called islets of Langerhans