Question

Study the diagram given below and answer the following question.

Why is the pancreas referred to as an exo-endocrine gland?

Answer 1

Pancreas is an exo-endocrine gland:

1. Pancreas is a flat gland located behind and slightly inferior to the stomach.
2. It secretes pancreatic juice that contains digestive enzymes.
3. The pancreatic juice is poured into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
4. Apart from secreting the digestive juice, the pancreas also secretes hormones.
5. It has endocrine patches called islets of Langerhans made up of alpha, beta, and delta cells that release glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin respectively.
6. Since, the pancreas behaves both as an exocrine gland and endocrine gland, it is called an exo-endocrine gland.