The pancreas is a pear-shaped organ situated deep in the abdomen. It is a critical controller of blood sugar levels. Part of the pancreas is sandwiched between the stomach and the spine and the other part is snuggled in the curve of the duodenum (which is the first part of the small intestine).

The pancreas is made up of two functional components. It is really two glands that are mixed together into one organ. For the most part the pancreas is composed of “exocrine” cells or Acinar cells. The second functional component of the pancreas is the “endocrine” cells.

Acinar cells produce and transport enzymes that are passed into the duodenum where they help in digesting food. The endocrine cells of the pancreas produce and secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream which work together to maintain the proper levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.