The pancreas is a gland of mixed secretion that performs exocrine and endocrine functions. The sizes of the pancreas normally correspond to 16-17 centimeters of length and 2-4 centimeters of width.
Anatomically, the pancreas is divided into the head, body and tail, and its various parts perform various types of secretion. Having a network of ducts that enter the small intestine, the gland secretes enzymes such as pancreatic amylase, lipase, and protease. In the tail part are the so-called islets of Langerhans, which secrete hormones, among which there is well-known insulin. Accordingly, when these islands are damaged, diabetes mellitus occurs. There is also an extensive group of pathological conditions in which inflammation of the pancreas is observed - pancreatitis (from pancreas - pancreas, itis - inflammation). In this disease, the structure, morphology, size of the pancreas normally differ greatly in characteristics from the pathological condition. Enzymes that do not enter the duodenum participate in the breakdown of the gland itself, and toxins are released in this process, which can affect other organs.
Pathology
The size of the pancreas normally differs from those in pancreatitis. Therefore, pathology is successfully visualized by ultrasound. In this study, it is important to find out what the pancreas is, the size of the organ, the state of the tissue, and it also allows you to identify possible neoplasms. The ultrasound method will be the most reliable and painless. Identified neoplasms that occur most often due to smoking, alcoholism, abuse of fatty foods can go into cancer. In addition to ultrasound, a biochemical diagnostic method is used, in which it is quantified by the content of pancreatic amylase in the blood. An increased level can speak of pancreatitis, stones in the ducts of the gland, tumors, etc. A malignant tumor originates from the epithelium of the gland, more often in the head region, less often on the body and tail.
Treatment and prevention
If surgical intervention is possible (lack of metastasis), removal of the pancreas is indicated, otherwise chemo- and symptomatic therapy. After surgery, you must follow a strict diet based on protein-rich foods and the absence of fried foods and fiber-rich. It is important to pay attention to the first signs of the disease in time, namely: prolonged pain in the left side, if pancreatitis was previously diagnosed, weight loss for no apparent reason, upset stool, the appearance of jaundice, tension of the abdominal muscles. Prevention of diseases of the gland consists in the formation of proper nutrition (limiting fatty foods), the rejection of cigarettes and alcohol will help to bypass not only the diseases of this gland, but also most others. This will help to keep the size of the pancreas normal until old age.