Parasympathetic neurons of the vagus nerve innervate the pancreas which stimulates the release of enzymes (exocrine) and hormones (endocrine). Inside of the pancreas are the islets of Langerhans which have four hormone-secreting cells: alpha, beta, delta and F cells (McCance & Huether, 2014). Alpha cells are responsible for secreting glucagon. Beta cells secrete insulin and amylin. Delta cells secrete gastrin and somatostatin. Lastly, F cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide which stimulates gastric secretion. All of these hormones regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism (McCance & Huether, 2014). In addition to hormonal secretion, the pancreas contributes to digestion by releasing enzymes. The pancreatic enzymes include trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase, amylase and lipase. Protein digestion occurs with trypsin and chymotrypsin. Amylase is a starch to disaccharides and fat digestion occurs with lipase (Lewis et al., 2014). The proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase) are secreted in the inactive form so digestion of the pancreas does not
Parasympathetic neurons of the vagus nerve innervate the pancreas which stimulates the release of enzymes (exocrine) and hormones (endocrine). Inside of the pancreas are the islets of Langerhans which have four hormone-secreting cells: alpha, beta, delta and F cells (McCance & Huether, 2014). Alpha cells are responsible for secreting glucagon. Beta cells secrete insulin and amylin. Delta cells secrete gastrin and somatostatin. Lastly, F cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide which stimulates gastric secretion. All of these hormones regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism (McCance & Huether, 2014). In addition to hormonal secretion, the pancreas contributes to digestion by releasing enzymes. The pancreatic enzymes include trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase, amylase and lipase. Protein digestion occurs with trypsin and chymotrypsin. Amylase is a starch to disaccharides and fat digestion occurs with lipase (Lewis et al., 2014). The proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase) are secreted in the inactive form so digestion of the pancreas does not