III.

Anatomy and Physiology

The Pancreas

The pancreas is a long, slender organ, located to the

bottom half of the stomach surrounded by other organs

including the small intestine, liver, and spleen. It is

spongy, six to ten inches long, shaped like a flat pear or

a fish extended horizontally across the abdomen.

The pancreas has two types of functions: The

exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine

functions that contain enzymes important to digestion.

The endocrine components of the pancreas consist of islets of Langerhans that create and release

important hormones directly into the bloodstream.

A direct connection exists between the pancreas and diabetes. The pancreas is an organ

deep in the abdomen, behind the stomach. It produces enzymes and hormones that help digest

food. One of which is insulin, that is necessary

to regulate glucose. Glucose refers to the

sugar in the body. The insulin serves as the

key of the cell allowing the use of glucose

for consumption of energy.

The Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx) with the stomach. The

esophagus is about 8 inches long and is lined by moist pink tissue called mucosa. The esophagus

runs behind the windpipe (trachea) and heart, and in front of the spine. Just before entering the

stomach, the esophagus passes through the diaphragm.

The upper esophageal sphincter (UES)

is a bundle of muscles at the top of the

esophagus. The muscles of the UES are under

conscious control, used when breathing,

eating, belching, and vomiting. They keep

food and secretions from going down the

windpipe.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

is a bundle of muscles at the low end of the esophagus, where it meets the stomach. When the

LES is closed, it prevents acid and stomach contents from traveling backwards from the stomach.

The LES muscles are not under voluntary control.

 Esophageal varices is a condition where veins in the esophagus may become engorged

and bulge. These veins are vulnerable to life-threatening bleeding.