What is the Role of the Liver and Pancreas in Digestion?
Though not part of the GI tract, the liver and pancreas are essential for digestion. The liver produces bile, stored in the gallbladder and released into the duodenum to emulsify fats. Histologically, the liver is organized into lobules with hepatocytes arranged around a central vein.
The pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine acini produce digestive enzymes, while the endocrine islets of Langerhans secrete hormones like insulin and glucagon.
