islets of Langerhans
Insulin-producing cell groups
The islets of Langerhans are clusters of hormone-producing cells scattered throughout the pancreas.
Named after the German anatomist Paul Langerhans, who discovered them in 1869, these tiny cell groups regulate blood sugar by secreting insulin and glucagon.
When the islets malfunction or are destroyed by the immune system, diabetes results.
Also called pancreatic islets.
Pancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- glucagonPancreatic blood-sugar raiser
- ghrelinAppetite-stimulating stomach peptide
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- proinsulinHormone before processing
Dual-function abdominal gland
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- innervationNerve supply to tissue
- stainingApplying dye or pigment
Primary cellular fuel
- blood sugarCirculating glucose level
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- lipogenesisMetabolic fat production process
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
Immune system targets self
- hyperglycemiaAbnormally high blood glucose
- hypoglycemiaInsufficient blood glucose
- insulin resistanceReduced cellular hormone sensitivity
- gestational diabetesGlucose intolerance during pregnancy
Reduced bodily defense activation
- stem cell therapyTreatment using primordial cells
- encapsulationSurrounding on all sides
- xenotransplantationGrafting between different species
- pancreatic cancerMalignancy of insulin-producing organ
insulin
Pancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
pancreas
Dual-function abdominal gland
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- innervationNerve supply to tissue
glucose
Primary cellular fuel
- blood sugarCirculating glucose level
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- lipogenesisMetabolic fat production process
glycolysis · energy balance · fasting glucose · insulin sensitivity
autoimmunity
Immune system targets self
- hyperglycemiaAbnormally high blood glucose
- hypoglycemiaInsufficient blood glucose
- insulin resistanceReduced cellular hormone sensitivity
immunosuppression
Reduced bodily defense activation
- stem cell therapyTreatment using primordial cells
- encapsulationSurrounding on all sides
- xenotransplantationGrafting between different species
- endocrine glandsadrenal gland, adrenal glands, adrenals, adrenal, parathyroid glands
- glandssalivary gland, adrenal glands, sweat gland, adrenal gland, sebaceous gland
- Pancreaspancreatic juice, glucagon, exocrine, endocrine, duct
- microstructuresmitochondria, ribosomes, lysosomes, centrioles, vacuoles
- Sugar Metabolismglucose, blood sugar, glycolysis, glycogen, blood glucose monitor