Pancreatitis

1. The spleen is posterior to the stomach and is situated between the duodenum of the small intestine and the spleen.

2. Bile starts in the liver and exits the liver via the left and right hepatic ducts. These combine to form the common hepatic duct. The gallbladder is attached to this duct by the cystic duct. When the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct merge this forms the common bile duct. As the common bile duct connects to the major duodenal papilla it is joined by the main pancreatic duct (which is carrying digestive enzymes) at the hepatopancreatic ampulla.

3. The endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas originate from the islets of Langerhans or the pancreatic islets. These islets make up about one percent of the pancreases volume and may consist some or all of four different types of cells. Each of these cells produces its own hormone. The alpha cells produce glucagon when blood glucose levels drop. Glucagon also stimulates lipid to start to break down to secrete glucose into your blood stream. Beta cells are the second type of endocrine cell in the pancreas. These cells secrete insulin when blood glucose levels are elevated bringing the blood glucose level down. The third type is the Delta cells. These are stimulated by high amounts of nutrients in the bloodstream. These cells synthesize somatostatin or growth hormone inhibiting hormone. The last cell is the F cell and these secrete pancreatic polypeptide to regulate and suppress somatostatin from the delta cells.

4. Pancreatic juices from acinar cells are secreted in response to the secretion of cholecystokinin. Cholecystokinin is released by the enteroendocrine cells in intestinal glands. Secretin stimulates the release of alkaline fluids from the pancreatic duct cells and bile from the gallbladder. All of these hormones aid in the digestive process.

5. Proteases are very potent digestive enzymes that help break down protein. Because of this, protease is stored in an inactive...