Digestive System in humans Pancreas and Liver

By:Pranav Buddhadev Pooja Jasani Rutvi Nandani Shubham Garg

Parts of digestive system

General functions of various parts of Digestive tract

Pancreas and liver

Pancreas
The pancreas is a organ in the digestive

system and endocrine system of vertebrates. It has a dual nature i:e; it can act both as an endocrine as well as an exocrine gland.

Pancreas location

Pancreas location
The head lies within the concavity of

the duodenum. The neck is the constricted part between the head and the body. The body lies behind the stomach. The tail is the left end of the pancreas. It lies in contact with the spleen.

Pancreas function

Pancreas function
The pancreas is a dual-function gland, having

features of both endocrine and exocrine glands. The pancreas as an exocrine gland helps out the digestive system. It secretes pancreatic fluid that contains digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine. These enzymes help to further break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids (fats) in the chyme. The part of the pancreas with endocrine function is made up of approximately a million cell clusters called islets of Langerhans.

 cells secrete glucagon (increase glucose in

blood), cells secrete insulin (decrease glucose in blood), delta cells secrete somatostatin(regulates/stops and cells) and gamma cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Liver
Largest gland of the human body and weighs

about 1.5 kg. Is a soft, pinkish-brown, triangular organ. It is both the largest internal organ (the skin being the largest organ overall) and the largest gland in the human body. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion.

Liver location

Liver location
It is located in the right upper quadrant of

the abdominal cavity, resting just below the diaphragm. The liver lies to the right of the stomach and overlies the gallbladder.

Functions of liver

Functions of liver

Functions of liver (Glucose Metabolism)

Glycogenesis

Excess glucose in the blood is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver. Glycogenolysis When required glucose is obtained by hydrolysis of glycogen. Glyconeogenesis Glycogen is synthesized from amino acids or fatty acids and glycerol. Lipogenesis-excess of glucose is converted to fats

Functions of liver (Glucose Metabolism)

As your blood sugar level begins to drop between meals or during sleep, your liver converts stored glycogen back into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. This process, called glycogenolysis, helps prevent your blood sugar from dropping to an abnormally low level. The hormone glucagon, from your pancreas, triggers the breakdown of glycogen in your liver to maintain your blood glucose level. When you eat food containing glucose, it is absorbed from your intestines into your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level increases, your liver removes excess glucose from your bloodstream and converts it into a temporary storage form called glycogen. This process, called glycogenesis.

 As your blood sugar level begins to drop

between meals or during sleep, your liver converts stored glycogen back into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. This process, called glycogenolysis.

Biliary tract
The biliary tract (or biliary tree) is the

common anatomical term for the path by which bile is secreted by the liver then transported to the first part of the small intestine, also known as the duodenum. A structure common to most members of the mammal family, it is referred to as a tree because it begins with many small branches which end in the common bile duct, sometimes referred to as the trunk of the biliary tree.

The bilary tract

The biliary tract

The liver cells secrete bile, it is collected by a system of ducts that flow from the liver through the right and left hepatic ducts into common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct joins the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct, which runs from the liver to the duodenum. About 50 percent of the bile produced by the liver is first stored in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ located directly below the liver. The gallbladder contracts and releases stored bile into the duodenum to help break down the fats when food enters the duodenum.

Bile
Bile or gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green to

yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver of most vertebrates, that aids the process of digestion of lipidsin the small intestine. In many species, bile is stored in the gallbladder and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum. Bile is a composition of the following materials: water (85%), bile salts (10%), mucus and pigments (3%), fats (1%), inorganic salts (0.7%) and cholesterol (0.3%).

Bile primary functions

To carry away waste To break down fats during

digestion.(Emulsification of Fats)

Thank you