Pancreas
The pancreas is a long gland that extends from the duodenum
(the upper portion of the small intestine) to the spleen. It serves both
digestive and endocrine functions.
The pancreas aids in digestion by producing enzymes that
digest several things, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and nucleic
acid, a common acid that acts as building block in DNA and is essential for all
living things.
The pancreas protects the lining of the small intestine by
producing large amounts of alkaline fluid. This base helps neutralize the acid
in chyme from the stomach as it enters the small intestine. This fluid collects
in a main duct that joins with a common bile duct. The fluid and bile wait to
be released into the duodenum when the stomach releases food.
The pancreas also functions as an endocrine gland by
producing two very important hormones that help regulate the level of sugar in
the blood: insulin and glucagon.
People whose pancreases do not produce enough insulin have a
condition known as diabetes. Type 1 diabetics have a pancreas that does not
produce insulin, and they must administer the hormone via injections through
their skin. Type 2 diabetics still produce a small amount of insulin.
The pancreas can stop producing insulin for various reasons.
Poor diet, obesity, and a genetic disposition for the condition are among the
most common causes of diabetes.
Spleen
The spleen is a fist-sized organ of the lymphatic system that
operates as filter for blood. It helps fight infection and keep body fluids in
balance.
This small soft organ has a large blood supply despite its
size, and it is important in the body’s fight against infection.
In addition to filtering blood through pulp-like tissue, the
spleen also houses two very important types of immunity-related white blood
cells: lymphocytes and phagocytes.
Some of the spleen’s other functions include:
- Cleaning impurities from the blood
- Destroying old red blood cells
- Storing blood in case of emergency, such as
injury
Because the spleen is soft, it can be injured in an
accident, but this is rarely life threatening. If the damage is severe enough,
the spleen may need to be surgically removed through a procedure called
splenectomy.
Humans can live without a
spleen because other organs — such as the liver — can take over the spleen’s
function. However, people who have had their spleens removed are at greater
risk of infection.
