Deep in our abdomen, there is a very small and silent organ: the pancreas. Although the pancreas is small, it serves a remarkable purpose. When the cells in this area become cancerous, then it is what we call pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is an important organ in the body that helps the body digest food and maintain normal blood sugar. A good understanding of how the pancreas works can help identify and solve problems in a timely manner. The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach and across the posterior abdominal wall, in a deep position. The pancreas is part of the digestive system and interacts with the liver, gallbladder, intestines (large and small intestine) and liver and gallbladder. The pancreas consists of pancreatic ducts, exocrine glands and endocrine glands. There are three parts: the head, body and tail of the pancreas. Two functions of the pancreas 1. Digestion (exocrine): The pancreas helps the body digest carbohydrates, fats, proteins and acids. The pancreatic follicles secrete pancreatic juice containing bicarbonate and digestive enzymes, which are mainly used to neutralize stomach acid and digest sugar, protein and fat. 2. Hormones (endocrine): The endocrine structure of the pancreas is called islet. The islets contain a variety of secretory cells: B cells, which are the most numerous, secrete insulin; A cells secrete pancreatic hyperglycemic hormone; D cells secrete growth inhibitory hormone; and PP cells produce pancreatic polypeptides. How the pancreas works When food enters the stomach, the pancreas receives electrical signals from the body’s nervous system to produce pancreatic enzymes to help break down the food. These enzymes then pass through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum (the intestinal tract next to the stomach in the digestive system). The pancreas also regulates the level of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood. Glucose is an important source of energy for the body. When the body’s blood sugar is too low, the pancreas secretes glucagon, which is used to increase the amount of glucose in the blood. When the body’s blood glucose level is too high, the pancreas secretes insulin, which is used to lower the amount of glucose in the blood. The pancreas is an important functional organ of the body and when problems occur, the body can develop serious medical conditions such as diabetes, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis of the pancreas.