What Does the Pancreas Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
6. Endocrine Pancreas
The endocrine part of the pancreas is called the pancreatic islets or the islets of Langerhans. These are clusters of cells spread throughout the pancreas. The islets are comprised of four types of cells in which the four pancreatic hormones are produced.
The four types of cells are alpha cells, beta cells, delta cells, and PP cells. Alpha cells secrete a hormone known as glucagon. They tend to be located near the periphery of the islet and constitute about 20 percent of the islet cells. Beta cells synthesize preproinsulin, a precursor of a hormone called insulin. They constitute approximately 60-75 percent of the islet cells. Finally, delta cells constitute 5 percent of the islet cells, and secrete somatostatin.
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