| Definition: |
The pancreas is an organ composed of endocrine and exocrine glandular tissue that produce hormones and digestive enzymes. Unlike in other studied vertebrates the pancreas in zebrafish develops from two buds, one anterior and one posterior. In adult fish the main pancreas is located on the right side attached to the lateral aspect of the intestine by the pancreatic duct. Typically, one large islet and 3-6 smaller islets occupy the main pancreas. The tail of the pancreas is embedded with single beta cells or clusters of small islets and extends caudally along the right side of the intestine. |