Pancretitis
http://www.gobookee.org/ebook/a-case-of-acute-pancreatitis-national-center-for-case-17o1gj/
Page 1
NATI
O
NAL CENTER F
O
R CASE STUDY TEACHING IN SCIENC
E
Case Teaching Notes for “A Case of Acute Pancreatitis” by David F. Dean
I
NTRODUCTION
/ B
ACKGROUND
Th e pancreas is an organ that possesses both endocrine and exocrine functions and is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity. Th e endocrine function of the pancreas relates to the secretion of two hormones, insulin and glucagon, which serve to regulate the levels of blood glucose. Th e exocrine function of the pancreas involves the secretion of enzymes that are responsible for the digestion of food in the lumen of the small intestine.
Normally, the digestive enzymes (especially the proteases) are secreted in an inactive state and are activated only when mixed with the contents of the small intestine.
Acute pancreatitis is an infl ammatory disorder of sudden onset that occurs most frequently in individuals who suff er from chronic alcoholism or have an obstruction to the fl ow of bile through the biliary tree. Th e severity of the condition can vary from mild to life-threatening.
Th
e most severe form of acute pancreatitis occurs as the result of premature activation of digestive enzymes within the pancreas itself, resulting in a hemorrhagic and necrotizing form of the condition that must be treated aggressively, most often by surgical intervention.
Th
is case is appropriate for any college-level course in human physiology.
Objectives
After answering and discussing the questions at the end of the case, students will have learned the following:
• the anatomic location and functions of the pancreas;
• the means by which hormones are used to control the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice;
• the rationale for the secretion of proteases in an inactive state and the means by which they are activated in the lumen of the small intestine;
•
Page 1
NATI
O
NAL CENTER F
O
R CASE STUDY TEACHING IN SCIENC
E
Case Teaching Notes for “A Case of Acute Pancreatitis” by David F. Dean
I
NTRODUCTION
/ B
ACKGROUND
Th e pancreas is an organ that possesses both endocrine and exocrine functions and is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity. Th e endocrine function of the pancreas relates to the secretion of two hormones, insulin and glucagon, which serve to regulate the levels of blood glucose. Th e exocrine function of the pancreas involves the secretion of enzymes that are responsible for the digestion of food in the lumen of the small intestine.
Normally, the digestive enzymes (especially the proteases) are secreted in an inactive state and are activated only when mixed with the contents of the small intestine.
Acute pancreatitis is an infl ammatory disorder of sudden onset that occurs most frequently in individuals who suff er from chronic alcoholism or have an obstruction to the fl ow of bile through the biliary tree. Th e severity of the condition can vary from mild to life-threatening.
Th
e most severe form of acute pancreatitis occurs as the result of premature activation of digestive enzymes within the pancreas itself, resulting in a hemorrhagic and necrotizing form of the condition that must be treated aggressively, most often by surgical intervention.
Th
is case is appropriate for any college-level course in human physiology.
Objectives
After answering and discussing the questions at the end of the case, students will have learned the following:
• the anatomic location and functions of the pancreas;
• the means by which hormones are used to control the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice;
• the rationale for the secretion of proteases in an inactive state and the means by which they are activated in the lumen of the small intestine;
•