Pancreatic juice

From WikiMD.com - Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Pancreatic juice is a liquid secreted by the pancreas, which contains a variety of enzymes, including trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, elastase, carboxypeptidase, pancreatic lipase, nucleases, and amylase. These enzymes play a crucial role in digestion by breaking down food particles in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

Composition[edit | edit source]

Pancreatic juice is composed of two secretory products critical to proper digestion: digestive enzymes and bicarbonate. The enzymes are synthesized and secreted from the exocrine acinar cells, while bicarbonate is secreted from the epithelial cells lining small pancreatic ducts.

Digestive Enzymes[edit | edit source]

The digestive enzymes are secreted in an inactive form known as zymogens or proenzymes. The major enzymes include:

  • Trypsinogen: This is activated in the duodenum into trypsin by the enzyme enterokinase, which is embedded in the intestinal mucosa. Once activated, trypsin can activate more trypsinogen, as well as chymotrypsinogen and procarboxypeptidases.
  • Pancreatic lipase: This breaks down triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids.
  • Pancreatic amylase: This breaks down large polysaccharides (starch and glycogen) into smaller sugars.

Bicarbonate[edit | edit source]

Bicarbonate is a base and critical to neutralizing the acid coming into the duodenum from the stomach. The bicarbonate also creates a slightly alkaline environment in the duodenum, allowing the enzymes to function optimally.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Abnormalities or blockage of the pancreatic juice can lead to several health problems, including pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer.






WHO Rod.svg
This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP1 injections from $125

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program NYC and a clinic to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our W8MD's physician supervised medical weight loss centers in NYC provides expert medical guidance, and offers telemedicine options for convenience.

Why choose W8MD?

Book Your Appointment

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss, and Philadelphia medical weight loss Call (718)946-5500 for NY and 215 676 2334 for PA

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's NYC physician weight loss.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available. Call 718 946 5500.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD