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| Thymus and Pancreas |
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 It is a gland that is prominent behind the breastbone in children. |
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It gradually decreases in size in adults. |
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It secretes hormone called thymosin. Thymosin helps in the production of lymphocytes. |
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It is a narrow gland present at the junction of stomach and duodenum. |
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It is both an exocrine and an endocrine gland. The exocrine part secretes digestive juices which it pours into a duct. The endocrine portion (also called the islets of Langerhans) has three types of cells: |
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| - alpha |
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| - beta |
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| - delta |
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| The alpha cells produce glucagon that increases the conversion of glycogen into glucose, increasing the level of glucose in blood. |
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| The beta cells produce insulin that increase the conversion of glucose into glycogen, decreasing the level of glucose in blood. Undersecretion of insulin causes diabetes mellitus, high blood sugar. |
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| The delta cells secrete somatostatin that inhibits the secretion of insulin and glucagon. |
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