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Endocrine Pancreas

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Principles of Diabetes Mellitus

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Abstract

The endocrine pancreas is composed of the islets of Langerhans, which comprise approximately two million clusters of cells dispersed within the acinar tissue of the exocrine pancreas. Whereas the exocrine pancreas is responsible for secreting digestive enzymes for nutrient absorption, the endocrine pancreas regulates nutrient homeostasis and metabolism, including uptake, storage, and release of metabolic fuels. In adults, the islets constitute between 1 and 2% of pancreatic mass. At least four cell types have been identified in the islets: α-cells, β-cells, δ-cells, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells. β-Cells constitute the majority of islet cells and are concentrated in the anterior head, body, and tail of the pancreas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College ofMedicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, 10003, USA

    Barry J. Brass* M.D., Ph.D, Zinoviy Abelev M.D., Emilia Pauline Liao M.D. & Leonid Poretsky

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  1. Barry J. Brass* M.D., Ph.D
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  2. Zinoviy Abelev M.D.
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  3. Emilia Pauline Liao M.D.
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  4. Leonid Poretsky
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Correspondence to Leonid Poretsky .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Div. Endocrinology & Metabolism, Beth Israel Medical Center, East 17th Street 317, New York, 10003, U.S.A.

    Leonid Poretsky

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Brass*, B.J., Abelev, Z., Liao, E.P., Poretsky, L. (2010). Endocrine Pancreas. In: Poretsky, L. (eds) Principles of Diabetes Mellitus. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09841-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09841-8_3

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