Centroacinar cells
Encyclopedia
Centroacinar cells are spindle-shaped cells in the exocrine pancreas
. Centroacinar cells are an extension of the intercalated duct
cells into each pancreatic acinus
. The intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to intralobular duct
s which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.
These cells are commonly known as duct cells
, and secrete an aqueous bicarbonate
solution under stimulation by the hormone secretin
. They also secrete mucin
.
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
. Centroacinar cells are an extension of the intercalated duct
Intercalated duct
The intercalated duct, also called intercalary duct, is the portion of an exocrine gland leading directly from the acinus to a striated duct. The intercalated duct forms part of the intralobular duct...
cells into each pancreatic acinus
Acinus
An acinus refers to any cluster of cells that resembles a many-lobed "berry," such as a raspberry...
. The intercalated ducts take the bicarbonate to intralobular duct
Intralobular duct
An intralobular duct is the portion of an exocrine gland inside a lobule, leading directly from acinus to interlobular duct. It is composed of two subdivisions, the intercalated duct and the striated duct....
s which become lobular ducts. These lobular ducts finally converge to form the main pancreatic duct.
These cells are commonly known as duct cells
Duct (anatomy)
In anatomy and physiology, a duct is a circumscribed channel leading from an exocrine gland or organ.-Types of ducts:Examples include:-Duct system:...
, and secrete an aqueous bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
In inorganic chemistry, bicarbonate is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid...
solution under stimulation by the hormone secretin
Secretin
Secretin is a hormone that controls the secretions into the duodenum, and also separately, water homeostasis throughout the body. It is produced in the S cells of the duodenum in the crypts of Lieberkühn...
. They also secrete mucin
Mucin
Mucins are a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins produced by epithelial tissues in most metazoans. Mucins' key characteristic is their ability to form gels; therefore they are a key component in most gel-like secretions, serving functions from lubrication to cell...
.