Pancreas

**Front View of the Pancreas**
The pancreas is about 6 inches long and sits across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine) through a small tube called the pancreatic duct. The narrow end of the pancreas, called the tail, extends to the left side of the body.

What is the pancreas?
A simple answer is that the pancreas is an oblong flattened gland located deep in the abdomen. This gland is an integral part of the digestive and endocrine systems. What is its endocrine function? The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine organ. The endocrine portion of the pancreas makes the hormones insulin and glucagon that are distributed throughout the body by way of the bloodstream. The cells that provide endocrine and exocrine functions are different from each other but are evenly dispersed throughout the pancreas.

Where is the pancreas?

 * The pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, sandwiched between the stomach and the spine. It lies partially behind the stomach. The other part is nestled in the curve of the duodenum (small intestine). To visualize the position of the pancreas, try this: Touch the thumb and "pinkie" finger of your right hand together, keeping the other three fingers together and straight. Then, place your hand in the center of your belly just below your lower ribs with your fingers pointing to the left. Your hand will be at the approximate level of your pancreas.**
 * Because of the pancreas' deep location, tumors are rarely palpable (able to be felt by pressing on the abdomen.) It also explains why many symptoms of pancreatic cancer often do not appear until the tumor grows large enough to interfere with the function of nearby structures such as the stomach, duodenum, liver, or gallbladder.**

What is insulin and what does it do?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the glucose level in the blood. Insulin LOWERS blood sugar.

**What is glucagon and what does it do?**
Glucagon is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that has the opposite effects of insulin. Between meals and while we are sleeping, Glucagon INCREASES blood sugar.