T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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The pancreas is a mixed exocrine and endocrine gland. Most of the pancreas (~95%) is exocrine cells that secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Scattered throughout the pancreas are clusters of only a few cells to several thousand cells (2 to 5%) that secrete hormones into the blood that regulate glucose.
These "islands" of endocrine cells (or islets of Langerhans) are lighter staining than the exocrine cells by H&E.
The endocrine cells occur as irregular cords surrounded by fenestrated capillaries.
(Note the size of an islet cannot be inferred from its cross-section in a single section. Is the cross-section from the top, middle, or bottom of ellipsoid islets?)
Islets contain four major types of endocrine cells:
Beta Cells - most common and secrete insulin.
Alpha Cells - second most frequent and secrete glucagon.
Delta Cells - secrete somatostatin.
PP Cells - secrete pancreatic polypeptide.
These cell types cannot be distinguished by H&E. However, they can by electron microscopy or immunohistochemical staining for the hormones.
