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Pancreas Facts & Worksheets

The pancreas is a gland (an organ that produces and releases substances in the body). It releases enzymes for digestion and hormones for blood sugar regulation.

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The pancreas is a gland (an organ that produces and releases substances in the body). Located behind the stomach at the back and upper left of the abdomen, the pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions. It releases enzymes for digestion and hormones for blood sugar regulation. 

See the fact file below for more information on the Pancreas, or you can download our 26-page Pancreas worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ANATOMY

  • The pancreas is both an organ and a gland (an organ that produces and releases substances in the body). 
  • The pancreas lies behind the stomach at the back and upper left of the abdomen. The small intestine, liver, and spleen surround the pancreas. 
  • The pancreas is about six to ten inches long. Pear or fish-shaped and spongy, it extends horizontally across the abdomen.
  • The stomach is attached to the first part of the small intestine, which is known as the duodenum. This is the head and largest part of the pancreas.
  • The pancreas divides into the following parts: head, body, tail, and ducts.
  • The first part is the head, the enlarged part of the gland where the stomach meets the duodenum, and the pancreas releases digestive enzymes. Then, the stomach empties partially digested food into the intestine. 
  • The middle section is the body. In some cases, it is called the neck. It tapers as it extends to the left to the tail of the pancreas.
  • The thin end of the pancreas is called the tail, which lies anterior to the left kidney. 
  • There are two ducts in the pancreas: the pancreatic duct and the bile duct.
  • The pancreatic duct carries the pancreatic secretions. These pancreatic juices are released when the food enters the stomach.
  • The other duct is the bile duct, which originates in the liver and the gallbladder. This duct produces another juice called bile.
  • The pancreatic and bile ducts join to form the ampulla of Vater (a small opening at the first portion of the duodenum).
  • The pancreatic juices and bile help the body to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. 

FUNCTIONS OF THE PANCREAS

  • The pancreas has two functions: the exocrine function and the endocrine function. 
  • The pancreas contains exocrine glands that secrete a clear, watery, alkaline substance containing several enzymes that break down food into small molecules. These enzymes travel through the common bile duct to the duodenum.
  • The digesting enzymes are trypsin and chymotrypsin for proteins, amylase for carbohydrates, and lipase for fats into fatty acids and cholesterol.
  • The pancreas also has endocrine glands that release hormones into the blood. 

These consist of islet cells, also known as the islets of Langerhans, which create and release important hormones into the bloodstream.

  • The two pancreatic hormones are insulin and glucagon. Insulin transports the glucose from the blood into muscles and other tissues to be used as energy. Therefore, insulin reduces high blood sugar levels.
  • Glucagon, on the other hand, breaks down the glycogen in the liver. When this happens, the glucose enters the bloodstream to restore blood sugar levels to normal. It also increases low blood sugar levels when necessary.

PANCREATIC CONDITIONS

  • Several diseases involve the pancreas, including diabetes, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, gallstone pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, pancreas divisum, and pancreatic cancer.
  • Diabetes is one of the most common diseases involving the pancreas. It is a metabolism disorder, for it affects how the body digests food and breaks it down into glucose (the main source of fuel for the body). The pancreas is supposed to produce the right amount of insulin to move the glucose from the blood into the cells. The pancreas of a person with diabetes produces little to no insulin. In some cases, the cell does not respond to the insulin produced.
  • There are two types of diabetes:  Type 1 diabetes, which is common in children but may develop at any age, and Type 2 diabetes, which is more common in older people.
  • Acute pancreatitis is caused by the rapid inflammation of the pancreas. The enzymes from the pancreas and other toxins may enter the bloodstream in an acute attack. These may injure other organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys. 
  • Having gallstones and excessively consuming alcohol are the most common causes of acute pancreatitis.
  • Chronic pancreatitis also involves the inflammation of the pancreas. However, in chronic pancreatitis, the damage develops more slowly. The pancreas becomes scarred and unable to make enough digestive enzymes and insulin. The pancreatic juices also become thick, which may result in clogging of the pancreatic ducts.
  • Patients with chronic pancreatitis experience pain in the upper abdomen and in the back. They also have a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. 
  • Gallstone pancreatitis happens when patients with gallstones pass them from the gallbladder to the main bile duct. When these gallstones go down in the bile duct, they can block off the pancreatic duct causing pancreatitis. In this case, the patients get hospitalized. Even if the patient recovers, the patient may have a damaged pancreas because of the blocked pancreatic duct. 
  • Hereditary pancreatitis is very rare but genetic. Its symptoms suddenly occur and may last for several days. When the patient gets older, the symptoms recur and begin to happen more frequently. This leads to the development of chronic pancreatitis. Symptoms of hereditary pancreatitis involve abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. 
  • Another pancreatic disease is the pancreas divisum, which is a birth defect in the pancreas. In this case, the normal drainage of the pancreas is altered. Therefore, the drainage has to pass through the smaller duct and sphincter of the pancreas, which may cause problems draining all the pancreatic juices. This may lead to pancreatitis and abdominal pain because of pressure in the duct. An operation is necessary to improve the drainage of the pancreas. 
  • Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the USA. Its usual form, called adenocarcinoma, has already spread before it is diagnosed. 
  • Pancreatic cancer causes a mass, which can be detected by abdominal scans like ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance scanning (MRI, MRCP). The symptoms involve upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and yellow jaundice. However, before these symptoms develop, the tumor has already spread.

TAKING CARE OF THE PANCREAS

  • There are simple ways that can keep the pancreas healthy.
  • First, avoid excessive use of alcohol, especially if you are a patient with an existing pancreatic illness. Alcohol consumption is a significant cause of pancreatic diseases.
  • Second, quit smoking and other tobacco products. 
  • Next, observe a healthy diet. Eat food that is high in protein, such as eggs, lentils, nuts, fish, and chicken. Consume food with antioxidants like fruits, green vegetables, berries, whole grains, and green tea. Also, avoid red meat, processed meat, fatty foods, and junk food. 
  • Lastly, follow a healthy lifestyle. Dedicate at least half an hour of exercise a day. If you are overweight, do your best to lose weight. Drink at least 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day.

Pancreas Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Pancreas across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Pancreas. The Pancreas is a gland (an organ that produces and releases substances in the body).

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Pancreas Facts
  2. True or False?
  3. Identification
  4. Parts of the Pancreas
  5. Pancreatic Illnesses
  6. Pancreatic Poster
  7. Pancreatic Poetry
  8. Food for Your Pancreas
  9. Pancreatic Function
  10. Details on Diabetes
  11. Purposes of the Pancreas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pancreas?

The pancreas is a glandular organ located in the abdomen, behind the stomach. It plays a crucial role in the digestive and endocrine systems. It produces digestive enzymes that help break down food in the small intestine and produces hormones, including insulin and glucagon, that regulate blood sugar levels.

What are the functions of the pancreas?

The pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions. Exocrine functions involve producing and secreting digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Endocrine functions involve the production and secretion of hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels and play a key role in metabolism.

What is the role of insulin in the pancreas?

Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. Its primary role is to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used for energy or stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. Insufficient insulin production or impaired insulin function can lead to diabetes mellitus.

What are some common disorders or diseases of the pancreas?

Several disorders and diseases can affect the pancreas. Some common ones include:

  • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can be acute or chronic and is often caused by gallstones, alcohol abuse, or certain medications.
  • Pancreatic cancer: A malignant tumor that arises in the tissues of the pancreas. It is a serious and often fatal form of cancer.
  • Diabetes mellitus: A metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or impaired insulin function.
  • Pancreatic cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that can develop within or on the pancreas. They can be benign or, in some cases, potentially cancerous.

How is pancreatic health assessed and treated?

Pancreatic health can be assessed through various diagnostic tests, including blood tests, imaging studies (such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI), endoscopic procedures, or biopsy. Treatment depends on the specific condition but may involve medication, lifestyle changes (such as dietary modifications), surgical interventions, or a combination of these approaches. For example, pancreatitis may require pain management, dietary adjustments, and the treatment of underlying causes, while pancreatic cancer may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer. Diabetes management typically involves blood sugar monitoring, medication (including insulin injections), dietary changes, and regular exercise.

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Link will appear as Pancreas Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 17, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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