Development of the pancreas

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The development of the pancreas begins at the 4th-5th week of embryonic fetal formation. It is laid next to the place where the liver will be. The main material for it is the mesenchyme and endoderm. From the mesenchymal part will subsequently be formed connective tissue, and endodermal cells serve for the development of excretory ducts and the endocrine part of the pancreas.

Initially, a small protrusion of the thin wall of the embryonic intestine appears. It is formed from several epithelial tubes. Soon the epithelium begins to divide and lay the main parts of the organ. It is during this period that its three main parts begin to form: the head, tail and body. In the third month of pregnancy, there is a great change in the development of the pancreas. In it, you can already distinguish intrasecretory and exocrine functions, appear acini and designate ducts. At the same time.approximately on the ninth week, and island cells are laid. At first they are distinguishable only in the tail and body, but by the time of the birth of the child, their formation finally ends. Interesting is the fact that their number in a newborn is much larger than that of an adult, but the size is much smaller.

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By the time the baby is born, the pancreas reaches a new stage in development and has a size of about 3-5 cm. Throughout a person's life, it grows until it reaches the usual size of 15-22 cm and weighs about 100 g.

Anomalies in the development of

Prettyoften in the development of the pancreas there are also anomalies. Some of them are lifelong and do not cause any particular trouble, but are found only when examining other organs. Others - cause inconvenience and cause in the subsequent occurrence of illnesses. The most common anomaly is the accessory gland. It is formed from the same tissues, but in another organ( for example, in the stomach) and has absolutely no connection with the main organ, its twin. Its dimensions can vary from half a centimeter to 6 cm. It can consist of the same sections as the usual one, or only from ducts or several parts. Her treatment can sometimes cause complications, although some do not feel uncomfortable with her presence.

Anomalies in development include:

  • annular and split pancreas
  • doubling of ducts
  • presence of an additional papilla
  • congenital cyst or hypoplasia
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