Pancreatic islets
Pancreatic Islets
Pancreatic islets, also known as islets of Langerhans, are tiny clusters of cells scattered throughout the pancreas. They play a crucial role in the regulation of blood glucose levels in the body.
Pronunciation
Pancreatic islets: /panˈkrɪətɪk ˈaɪlɪts/
Etymology
The term "pancreatic islets" is derived from the Greek words "pankreas" meaning "all flesh" and "insula" meaning "island". The term "islets of Langerhans" is named after the German pathologist Paul Langerhans, who discovered them in 1869.
Function
Pancreatic islets are responsible for the production of several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. These hormones work together to maintain the balance of glucose in the body, which is essential for normal bodily functions.
Related Terms
- Insulin: A hormone produced by the beta cells in the pancreatic islets that helps to lower blood glucose levels.
- Glucagon: A hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreatic islets that helps to raise blood glucose levels.
- Somatostatin: A hormone produced by the delta cells in the pancreatic islets that helps to regulate the release of insulin and glucagon.
- Pancreas: A large gland located behind the stomach that contains the pancreatic islets.
- Diabetes: A chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pancreatic islets
- Wikipedia's article - Pancreatic islets
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski