THE PANCREAS, LIVER, & GALLBLADDER

WHAT ARE THE SIZE & LOCATION OF THE PANCREAS?

• The pancreas is about 6 inches long
• Located behind the stomach

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS OF THE PANCREAS?

• Completes the job of breaking down protein, carbohydrates, & fats
• Secretes hormones that affect level of sugar in blood
• Produces chemicals that neutralize stomach acids that pass from the stomach into
• the small intestine by using substances in pancreatic juice

HOW IS THE PANCREAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO DIGESTION?

• The pancreas contains exocrine glands that produce enzymes to
• Help in digestion. The pancreatic juices and bile are released
• into the duodenum to help the body digest fats, carbohydrates, and
• proteins.

HOW DOES THE PANCREAS CONNECT TO THE REST OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?

• The pancreas is located behind the stomach and connects to the digestive
• system through the duodenum.

WHAT ENZYMES ARE PRODUCED BY THE PANCREAS? & functions

• Lipase - responsible for breakdown of fats
• Amylase - responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates
• Trypsin - Responsible for the breakdown of proteins

HOW IS INSULIN RELATED TO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?

• Insulin is produced by the pancreas to control sugar levels in your body
• It's released from the beta cells in your pancreas in response to rising
• glucose in your bloodstream. The pancreas detects the rise in blood glucose
• and starts to secrete insulin. The digestive system relys on insulin to break
• down sugars to keep our body healthy.

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE LIVER? WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

• 5cm at age 5, adult size by age 15
• Size may depend on age, sex, body shape, and body size
• average liver size is 7 cm for women and 10.5 cm for men
• It sits on the right of the belly & is protected by the rib cage

HOW DOES THE LIVER FUNCTION IN RELATION TO DIGESTION?

• Main job is to filter blood coming from the digestive tract
• before passing it on to the rest of the body
• The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs
• Secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines

WHAT ARE OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER IN THE BODY?

• Production of certain proteins for blood plasma
• Regulates blood clotting
• Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body
• Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage
• Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LIVER AND THE GALLBLADDER?

• The liver produces the bile and the gallbladder stores the bile
• and releases it for digestion

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF BILE & WHERE IT ENTERS THE DIGESTIVE TRACT?

• Bile contains acid which are critical for digestion and absorption
• of fats and fat - soluble vitamins in the small intestine

Skittles - pancreatic juice breaks down fats into smaller masses. Liver produces bile to break down fats. Insulin is made to metabolize sugars.

Steak - pancreatic juice breaks down proteins and delivers digestive juice to the small intestines

Celery - is not broken down by any digestive enzymes

Bread - pancreas secretes digestive enzymes to break down carbohydrates

Butter - lipase breaks down fat