Biology:Centroacinar cell
| Centroacinar cell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Location | Pancreas |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | cellula centroacinosa |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
Centroacinar cells are spindle-shaped cells in the exocrine pancreas. They function as special progenitor cells, and together with the similar ductal cells, they release bicarbonate.[1]
Centroacinar cells are part of the exocrine pancreas, which means they are cells of the part of pancreas focused on releasing enzymes and other substances that aid with digestion (as opposed to the endocrine pancreas which releases hormones like insulin into the blood).[1] The functional unit of the exocrine pancreas is the pancreatic acinus, which is a cluster of cells surrounding a cavity where enzymes are released, which then flow into its draining duct.[1] Each acinus is surrounded by acinar cells which are responsible for releasing enzymes, while the ducts are surrounded by duct cells which release bicarbonate.[1] The centroacinar cells are located in the region near the boundary of these two cell populations, and can be considered an extension of the intercalated duct into each pancreatic acinus.[2] Similar to duct cells, centroacinar cells secrete an aqueous bicarbonate solution[1] under stimulation by the hormone secretin, which helps protect the intestines (specifically the duodenum) from excessive acid. They are distinct from duct cells in their ability to differentiate into different types of pancreatic cells,[1] such as insulin-producing beta cells in zebrafish.[3]
The intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to intralobular ducts which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.[4] These intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to intralobular ducts which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.[2] These pancreatic ducts can act as a response mechanism when injury occurs and to avoid disruptions in the pancreatic lumen.[3] This keeps the ionic content in check while keeping it open for flow to occur. Mutations that can occur because of blockage/ accumulation in the pancreatic duct are disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
See also
- List of human cell types derived from the germ layers
- List of distinct cell types in the adult human body
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The Exocrine Pancreas. Morgan & Claypool Life Science. 2010. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54134/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Centroacinar Cells Development in the Pancreatic Duct". Embryonic.Al. https://discovery.lifemapsc.com/in-vivo-development/pancreas/pancreatic-ducts/centroacinar-cells.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Centroacinar cells: At the center of pancreas regeneration". Development Biology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012160615303018?via%3Dihub.
- ↑ Wendy Lackey M.A. (February 2011). "lecture session 12". Oral Cavity and Upper GI tract (coursepack from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine). p. 327.
External links
- Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 10.213 - "Pancreas"
- Histology image: 10406loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University - "Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas: pancreas, centroacinar cells"
- UIUC Histology Subject 870
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