CBSE Class 10 Answered

Pancreas is an organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both exocrine and endocrine  in function. Pancreas contain two different types of parenchymal tissue which are the islets of Langerhans and the acinar cells connected to ducts. Islets of Langerhans is the endocrine part of the pancreas whereas the acinar cells belong to the exocrine pancreas.

The islets are a compact collection of endocrine cells arranged in clusters and cords and are crisscrossed by a dense network of capillaries. It shows different types of cells which are involved in production of different hormones. α cells secrete glucagon, β cells secrete insulin, δ cells secrete somatostatin, and PP cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide. These hormones are secreted directly into blood.

In contrast to the endocrine pancreas, the exocrine pancreas produces digestive enzymes and an alkaline fluid, and secretes them into the small intestine through a system of exocrine ducts. Digestive enzymes include trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic lipase, and pancreatic amylase. These are produced and secreted by acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas.

Since pancreas shows both exocrine as well as endocrine functions, it is both an exocrine and endocrine organ.