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Multiple Choice

Which organ has both endocrine and exocrine functions?

Pancreas is the organ that carries both endocrine and exocrine roles. The exocrine part uses acinar cells to produce digestive enzymes—amylase, lipase, and proteases—that are released into a duct system and flow into the duodenum as pancreatic juice to aid digestion. The endocrine part consists of the islets of Langerhans, where alpha cells secrete glucagon, beta cells secrete insulin, and delta cells secrete somatostatin (along with other hormone-producing cells). These hormones enter the bloodstream to regulate blood glucose and other metabolic processes. Signals from the small intestine, like secretin and cholecystokinin, help coordinate these secretions. The other organs don’t perform both roles: the liver mainly produces bile (an exocrine product) and has metabolic functions rather than a true endocrine function; the spleen is lymphatic tissue; the gallbladder stores bile but does not secrete digestive enzymes or hormones.

Pancreas is the organ that carries both endocrine and exocrine roles. The exocrine part uses acinar cells to produce digestive enzymes—amylase, lipase, and proteases—that are released into a duct system and flow into the duodenum as pancreatic juice to aid digestion. The endocrine part consists of the islets of Langerhans, where alpha cells secrete glucagon, beta cells secrete insulin, and delta cells secrete somatostatin (along with other hormone-producing cells). These hormones enter the bloodstream to regulate blood glucose and other metabolic processes. Signals from the small intestine, like secretin and cholecystokinin, help coordinate these secretions. The other organs don’t perform both roles: the liver mainly produces bile (an exocrine product) and has metabolic functions rather than a true endocrine function; the spleen is lymphatic tissue; the gallbladder stores bile but does not secrete digestive enzymes or hormones.