Pancreas

The **pancreas** is an elongated organ located between the stomach and the proximal portion of the small intestine. It contains both exocrine cells, which excrete digestive enzymes, and endocrine cells, which release hormones. The endocrine cells of the pancreas form clusters called pancreatic islets or the islets of Langerhans. These islets consist primarily of two cell types: alpha cells, which produce glucagon, and beta cells, which produce insulin. These hormones work to regulate blood glucose levels. As blood glucose levels fall, alpha cells release glucagon to raise the blood glucose levels by increasing the rate of glycogen breakdown and glucose release by the liver. Conversely, when blood glucose levels rise, such as after a meal, beta cells secrete insulin to lower blood glucose levels by increasing the rate of glucose uptake in most body cells and increasing glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscles and the liver. *LICENSES AND ATTRIBUTIONS CC licensed content, Shared previously, 3.5.6 Endocrine Glands, Authored by: OpenStax College. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at:http://cnx.org/contents/41UfyQJ1@1.11:pwjTy-w3@6/Endocrine-Glands* ## Keywords pancreas insulin glucose level digestive juices