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The pancreas is a long, slender gland, between 12-20 centimeters long that is situated in the upper part of the abdomen attached to the back wall of the abdominal cavity. Shaped like a fish, the pancreas has five parts: head, uncinate process (a prolongation of the head), a short neck, body, and tail. The head of the pancreas (approximately aligned with the spinal cord), is surrounded by the upper portion of the small intestine, called the duodenum; the body is located behind the stomach; and the tail is located at the left upper portion of the abdomen below the rib cage touching the spleen.

Many small collecting ducts are spread throughout the pancreatic tissue and empty into the pancreatic duct which runs the length of the pancreas. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct (brings bile from the liver) in the pancreatic head at the ampulla of Vater, and that combined duct empties into the duodenum through the sphincter of Oddi (a muscle that surrounds both ducts). The pancreas plays a major role in the digestive process by releasing substances to aid in the breakdown of food. The stomach empties partially digested food and liquid into the duodenum where it mixes with the secretions from the pancreatic duct and then progresses into the small intestine.

Many major blood vessels such as the aorta and the vena cava, as well as nerve trunks pass through or very close to the pancreas.

The pancreas is a very complex gland with two major functions: exocrine function of the pancreas relates to its production of enzymes while the endocrine function relates to its production of hormones.

Enzymes

An enzyme is a protein made by the body that facilitates a chemical reaction. The pancreas produces two enzymes, amylase and lipase, that facilitate digestion. The enzymes are produced by specialized pyramid-shaped cells called acinar cells, and are capable of breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins during the digestion process. These enzymes mix with water and salt and are transported into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct. The opening of the duct, providing the exit for bile and pancreatic juice, is located at the summit of a nipple-like structure called the ampulla of Vater.

Hormones

Hormones travel through the blood and have a specific effect on the cells and function of other organs. The pancreas produces hormones called insulin and glucagon that are secreted directly into the blood. The specialized cells that produce these hormones are often referred to as islet cells because they are found in small clusters or islets called the islets of Langerhans. These hormones play a major role in controlling and regulating the levels of blood sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Under normal circumstances, digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas do not become active until they reach the small intestine. Pancreatitis occurs when the enzymes become active while still within the pancreas. It occurs if for any reason the digestive enzymes cannot pass into the duodenum in order to begin the process of breaking down food. The enzymes begin to "digest" surrounding tissue in the pancreas and this leads to inflammation of the pancreas.