Pancreas
The pancreas is located behind the liver and stomach. In addition
to secreting digestive enzymes, the pancreas secretes the hormones
insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. The release of insulin
into the blood lowers the level of blood glucose (sugar) by
allowing glucose to enter the body cells, where it is metabolized.
If blood glucose levels get too low, the pancreas secretes glucagon
to stimulate the release of glucose from the liver.
Review Date: 10/13/2008
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine,
Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of
Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD,
Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care
Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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