Centroacinar cells are spindle-shaped cells in the exocrine
pancreas
The pancreas (plural pancreases, or pancreata) is an Organ (anatomy), organ of the Digestion, digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdominal cavity, abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a ...
. They are small and have
microvilli
Microvilli (: microvillus) are microscopic cellular membrane protrusions that increase the surface area for diffusion and minimize any increase in volume, and are involved in a wide variety of functions, including absorption, secretion, cellula ...
on the
apical
Apical means "pertaining to an apex". It may refer to:
*Apical ancestor, refers to the last common ancestor of an entire group, such as a species (biology) or a clan (anthropology)
*Apical (anatomy), an anatomical term of location for features loc ...
surface. They work with organs such as the kidney, lungs, stomach, brain, intestine.
The exocrine pancreas is one of two compartments that include digestive-acting acinar cells and duct cells.They represent an extension of the
intercalated duct
In anatomy and physiology, a duct is a circumscribed channel leading from an exocrine gland or organ.
Types of ducts
Examples include:
Duct system
As ducts travel from the acinus which generates the fluid to the target, the ducts become large ...
into each pancreatic
acinus
An acinus (; : acini; adjective, acinar or acinous) refers to any cluster of cells that resembles a many-lobed "berry", such as a raspberry ('' acinus'' is Latin for "berry"). The berry-shaped termination of an exocrine gland, where the secr ...
.
These cells are commonly known as
duct cells, and secrete an aqueous
bicarbonate
In inorganic chemistry, bicarbonate (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogencarbonate) is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid. It is a polyatomic anion with the chemical formula .
Bicarbonate serves a crucial bioche ...
solution under stimulation by the hormone
secretin Secretin is a hormone that regulates water homeostasis throughout the body and influences the environment of the duodenum by regulating secretions in the stomach, pancreas, and liver. It is a peptide hormone produced in the S cells of the duodenum ...
. They also secrete
mucin
Mucins () are a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins ( glycoconjugates) produced by epithelial tissues in most animals. Mucins' key characteristic is their ability to form gels; therefore they are a key component in ...
. As well as direct the pathway of the enzyme into the gut, which helps the endocrine pancreas in secreting the hormone into the circulation. This is important in glucose metabolism, insulin-producing B cells, glucagon-producing A cells and somatostatin producing δ cells
The intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to
intralobular ducts which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.
These intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to intralobular ducts which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.
These pancreatic ducts can act as a response mechanism when injury occurs and to avoid disruptions in the pancreatic lumen.
This keeps the ionic content in check while keeping it open for flow to occur. Mutations that can occur because of blockage/ accumulation in the pancreatic duct are disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
See also
*
List of human cell types derived from the germ layers
This is a list of Cell (biology), cells in humans derived from the three embryonic germ layers – ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
Cells derived from ectoderm
Surface ectoderm Skin
* Trichocyte (human), Trichocyte
* Keratinocyte
Anterior pi ...
*
List of distinct cell types in the adult human body
The list of human cell types provides an enumeration and description of the various specialized cells found within the human body, highlighting their distinct functions, characteristics, and contributions to overall physiological processes. Cell ...
References
External links
* - "Pancreas"
* - "Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas: pancreas, centroacinar cells"
*
Digestive system
Human cells
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