Anatomy
pancreatic islet
pan·cre·at·ic is·let [ pan-kree-at-ik, pang- ahy-lit ]
Subclass of:
Endocrine Glands; Pancreas
Definitions related to islets of langerhans:
  • A specialized region of tissue located within the parenchyma of the pancreas that contains a mixed population of distinct endocrine cells, including beta, alpha, pancreatic polypeptide, delta, and epsilon cells, which respectively produce and secrete insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, somatostatin, and ghrelin.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Clusters of hormone-producing cells, including alpha and beta cells, that appear throughout the pancreas.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • Irregular microscopic structures consisting of cords of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the PANCREAS among the exocrine acini. Each islet is surrounded by connective tissue fibers and penetrated by a network of capillaries. There are four major cell types. The most abundant beta cells (50-80%) secrete INSULIN. Alpha cells (5-20%) secrete GLUCAGON. PP cells (10-35%) secrete PANCREATIC POLYPEPTIDE. Delta cells (~5%) secrete SOMATOSTATIN.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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