Preferred Label : pancreas;
Uberon definition : An endoderm derived structure that produces precursors of digestive enzymes and blood
glucose regulating enzymes[GO].;
Uberon Function note : The mature pancreas of higher vertebrates and mammals comprises two major functional
units: the exocrine pancreas, which is responsible for the production of digestive
enzymes to be secreted into the gut lumen, and the endocrine pancreas, which has its
role in the synthesis of several hormones with key regulatory functions in food uptake
and metabolism. The exocrine portion constitutes the majority of the mass of the pancreas,
and contains only two different cell types, the secretory acinar cells and the ductular
cells. The endocrine portion, which comprises only 1-2% of the total mass, contains
five different cell types, which are organized into mixed functional assemblies referred
to as the islets of Langerhans;
Uberon Homology note : In the hagfish and lampreys (our most primitive vertebrate species of today), the
first sign of 'a new organ' is found as collections of endocrine cells around the
area of the bile duct connection with the duodenum. These endocrine organs are composed
of 99% beta cells and 1% somatostatin-producing delta cells. Compared to the more
primitive protochordates (e.g. amphioxus), this represents a stage where all previously
scattered insulin-producing cells of the intestinal tissue have now quantitatively
migrated to found a new organ involved in sensing blood glucose rather than gut glucose.
Only later in evolution, the beta cells are joined by exocrine tissue and alpha cells
(exemplified by the rat-, rabbit- and elephant-fishes). Finally, from sharks and onwards
in evolution, we have the islet PP-cell entering to complete the pancreas.[well established][VHOG];
Uberon Taxon note : The zebrafish does not have a discrete pancreas. Exocrine pancreatic tissue can be
found scattered along the intestinal tract. The acinar structure of the exocrine pancreas
is very similar to that of mammals and comprises cells with a very dark, basophilic
cytoplasm;
Origin ID : 0001264;
UMLS CUI : C0030274;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
- Semantic type(s)
- UMLS correspondences (same concept)
- Uberon cross reference
- has developmental contribution from
- has part
- location of
- produces
An endoderm derived structure that produces precursors of digestive enzymes and blood
glucose regulating enzymes[GO].
