ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Islets of Langerhans are islands of endocrine cells scattered throughout the pancreas. A number of new studies have pointed to the potential for conversion of non- islet cells in to insulin-producing -cells to replenish -cell mass as a means to treat diabetes.

Detailed explanation-2: -The islets of Langerhans are endocrine functional units of the pancreas. Histologically, four cell types can be identified: the or A cells that secrete glucagon; the or B cells that secrete insulin; the or D cells that secrete somatostatin; and the PP cells that secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Detailed explanation-3: -The islets of Langerhans are the regions of the pancreas that contain its endocrine (i.e., hormone-producing) cells. The islets of Langerhans constitute approximately 1 to 2% of the mass of the pancreas. There are about one million islets in a healthy adult human pancreas, which are distributed throughout the organ.

Detailed explanation-4: -The islets of Langerhans are a cluster of cells within the pancreas that are responsible for the production and release of hormones that regulate glucose levels.

Detailed explanation-5: -insulin, hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood and that is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin is secreted when the level of blood glucose rises-as after a meal.