Enzymic Parts of the Digestive System

Pancreas

"Who does most of the digestive work in the small intestine? - Pancreatic enzymes."

pancreas, parts of the digestive system

Pancreas, one of the many parts digestive system, protrudes from the small intestine below the stomach and behind the liver. The common bile duct is in green


The pancreatic duct in white color you see in the diagram above branches out repeatedly and end in minute blind pockets called acini ( as-i-ni). Acini secrete pancreatic juice into the duodenum ( first portion U-shape of the small intestine ). The pancreatic juice contains pancreatic enzymes such as:


  • Lipases to break down lipids. (Fats, oils, and waxes that serve as building blocks for cells or as energy sources for the body)
  • Carbohydrases to break down sugars and starches.
  • Two types of proteolytic enzymes: proteinases and peptidases which break down large and small proteins respectively.


That's why when the pancreas is sick, constipation is one of the symptons.




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