Journal of Medicine and Health Research

The pancreas is a long, tapering organ positioned behind the stomach, extending horizontally across the upper abdomen. Its broad right portion, known as the head, sits within the curve of the duodenum—the first segment of the small intestine. Moving leftward, the organ narrows to form the body, which continues toward the spleen and ends as the tail. The exocrine component of the pancreas produces digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and acids. These enzymes are transported through the pancreatic duct in an inactive state and become functional only after entering the duodenum. Exocrine cells also release bicarbonate, which helps neutralize acidic stomach contents as they enter the small intestine. The endocrine portion secretes essential hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which maintain blood glucose balance, along with somatostatin, which modulates their release. Acting as an accessory digestive gland, the pancreas plays a dual physiological role: it functions as an endocrine gland by delivering hormones directly into the bloodstream and as an exocrine gland by releasing digestive secretions through a system of ducts.