Tail of pancreas
Encyclopedia
The tail of the pancreas
, located anatomically left near the hilum
of the spleen
, is not simply an anatomical distinction. The tail is the only part of the pancreas which contains Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) cells
, which are responsible for secreting pancreatic polypeptide
to coordinate exocrine and islet
enzyme
release. PP cells are found in the tail's periphery. Beta cells (insulin
secretory) and delta cells (somatostatin
secretory) are found in the central part of the tail as with the rest of the pancreas.
The cells described above are located exclusively in the islet cells; their secretions reach exocrine portions of the pancreas via the capillary
network surrounding the islet cell populations.
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
, located anatomically left near the hilum
Splenic hilum
The Splenic hilum is a location on the surface of the spleen.It is the point of attachment for the gastrosplenic ligament, and the point of insertion for the splenic artery and splenic vein.Structures that enter the hilum are:* Splenic artery...
of the spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
, is not simply an anatomical distinction. The tail is the only part of the pancreas which contains Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) cells
PP cell
F cells are pancreatic polypeptide producing cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. They are very few in number and are polygonal in shape....
, which are responsible for secreting pancreatic polypeptide
Pancreatic polypeptide
Pancreatic polypeptide is a polypeptide secreted by PP cells in the endocrine pancreas predominantly in the head of the pancreas. It consists of 36 amino acids and has molecular weight about 4200 Da....
to coordinate exocrine and islet
Islet
An islet is a very small island.- Types :As suggested by its origin as islette, an Old French diminutive of "isle", use of the term implies small size, but little attention is given to drawing an upper limit on its applicability....
enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
release. PP cells are found in the tail's periphery. Beta cells (insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
secretory) and delta cells (somatostatin
Somatostatin
Somatostatin is a peptide hormone that regulates the endocrine system and affects neurotransmission and cell proliferation via interaction with G-protein-coupled somatostatin receptors and inhibition of the release of numerous secondary hormones.Somatostatin...
secretory) are found in the central part of the tail as with the rest of the pancreas.
The cells described above are located exclusively in the islet cells; their secretions reach exocrine portions of the pancreas via the capillary
Capillary
Capillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the microcirculation. They are only 1 cell thick. These microvessels, measuring 5-10 μm in diameter, connect arterioles and venules, and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrient and waste...
network surrounding the islet cell populations.