Multi-Organ Transplant Program

Kidney-Pancreas Transplant

The pancreas is an elongated and irregularly shaped organ that is located behind the stomach. The pancreas has three parts: a head, a body, and a tail. The pancreas has distinct exocrine and endocrine components. The exocrine portion of the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes, constitutes the majority of the pancreas. The endocrine portion, which produces hormones, is composed of approximately 1 million clusters of cells, the islets of Langerhans.

The pancreas has two primary functions:

• exocrine function - produces enzymes, which are released into the intestine to digest food.

• endocrine function - produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which are released into the bloodstream to help maintain normal blood sugar levels. 

The specialized cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are called islet cells. Insulin lowers blood glucose levels in the body. When the islet cells stop producing insulin, the blood sugar rises uncontrollably and the patient develops diabetes mellitus.