Question

Why is pancreas known as the heterocrine gland?

Answer 1

Heterocrine glands are the glands which have both exocrine and endocrine secretion. Endocrine glands are also called ductless glands while the exocrine glands have ducts. Secretion of hormones other products depends on the type of the gland. Pancreas secretes hormones directly into the blood and other chemicals into the stomach that act as duct.

Complete step by step answer: Pancreas is known as heterocrine gland as it performs both functions of endocrine and exocrine gland. Pancreas is located in the abdomen part of the human body behind the stomach. Pancreas formed during dorsal and ventral bud formation from duodenal part of foregut. Both the ducts fuse together and form a pancreatic duct. It is a type of endodermal origin.
Endocrine glands do not have any duct that means their products, hormones, secreted directly into the blood. Pituitary, Pineal, thyroid, adrenal and hypothalamus are endocrine glands.
Exocrine glands secrete substances into the blood or into the epithelial surface. Sweat, salivary, mammary, sebaceous and prostate are some examples of exocrine glands.
Liver and pancreas are known as heterocrine glands which mean they are both exocrine and endocrine glands. They secrete their products bile and pancreatic juice into gastrointestinal tract or stomach through a series of ducts while they both also secrete other substances directly into the bloodstream.
Pancreas secretes insulin hormone when blood sugar level is high. It is essential for the breakdown of glucose. When blood sugar level is low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. In case of less production of insulin by pancreas it may lead to disease named diabetes. It is involved in blood sugar control and also in the metabolism of the body. Diabetic patients have been given the doses of insulin as their treatment in case of high blood sugar levels.

Note: Pancreas secretes insulin which is initially created as a precursor called preproinsulin and then it is converted into insulin stored in beta cells. Pancreas plays a very important role in the digestive system. Enzymes produced by pancreas help in breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates Diabetes is the result of malfunctioning of pancreas.