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- It is a gland that is prominent behind the breastbone in children.
- It gradually decreases in size in adults.
- It secretes hormone called thymosin. Thymosin helps in the production of lymphocytes.
- It is a narrow gland present at the junction of stomach and duodenum.
- 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:
- alpha
- beta
- delta
The alpha cells produce glucagon that increases the conversion of glycogen into glucose, increasing the level of glucose in blood.
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.
The delta cells secrete somatostatin that inhibits the secretion of insulin and glucagon.
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