Physiology of the Exocrine Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ with both exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine pancreas plays an essential role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients through the secretion into the proximal duodenum of digestive enzymes and bicarbonates. The endocrine pancreas, on the other hand, releases hormones that regulate metabolism and the distribution of the breakdown products of food within the body. These combined exocrine and endocrine functions make the pancreas one of the most important organs involved in the assimilation of food.