Centroacinar cells are spindle-shaped cells in the exocrine
pancreas
The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland. The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e. it has both an en ...
. They represent an extension of the
intercalated duct
In anatomy and physiology, a duct is a circumscribed channel leading from an exocrine gland or Organ (anatomy), organ.
Types of ducts
Examples include:
Duct system
As ducts travel from the acinus which generates the fluid to the target, the du ...
into each pancreatic
acinus.
These cells are commonly known as
duct cells, and secrete an aqueous
bicarbonate
In inorganic chemistry, bicarbonate (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogencarbonate) is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid. It is a polyatomic anion with the chemical formula .
Bicarbonate serves a crucial biochem ...
solution under stimulation by the hormone
secretin. They also secrete
mucin
Mucins () are a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins (glycoconjugates) produced by epithelial tissues in most animals. Mucins' key characteristic is their ability to form gels; therefore they are a key component in most ...
.
The intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to
intralobular duct
In anatomy and physiology, a duct is a circumscribed channel leading from an exocrine gland or organ.
Types of ducts
Examples include:
Duct system
As ducts travel from the acinus which generates the fluid to the target, the ducts become larger ...
s which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.
See also
*
List of human cell types derived from the germ layers
References
External links
* - "Pancreas"
* - "Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas: pancreas, centroacinar cells"
*
Digestive system
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