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The pancreas maintains constant blood glucose levels (shown as the waving line). When the blood glucose level is too high, the pancreas secretes insulin and when the level is too low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. Cells within the pancreas help to maintain blood glucose levels (homeostasis). The cells that do this are located within the ...
Serous membranes have two layers. The parietal layers of the membranes line the walls of the body cavity (pariet- refers to a cavity wall). The visceral layer of the membrane covers the organs (the viscera). Between the parietal and visceral layers is a very thin, fluid-filled serous space, or cavity. [4]
The abdominopelvic cavity is a body cavity that consists of the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity. [1] The upper portion is the abdominal cavity, and it contains the stomach , liver , pancreas , spleen , gallbladder , kidneys , small intestine , and most of the large intestine.
The pancreas, located in the abdomen, below and behind the stomach, is both an exocrine and an endocrine gland. The alpha and beta cells are the endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets that release insulin and glucagon and smaller amounts of other hormones into the blood.
The kidneys are located behind the peritoneum, in the retroperitoneum, outside the abdominal cavity. The viscera are also covered by visceral peritoneum. Between the visceral and parietal peritoneum is the peritoneal cavity, which is a potential space. [1] It contains a serous fluid called peritoneal fluid that allows motion.
The mesothelium is composed of an extensive monolayer of specialized cells (mesothelial cells) that line the body's serous cavities and internal organs. The main purpose of these cells is to produce a lubricating fluid that is released between layers, [4] providing a slippery, non-adhesive, and protective surface to facilitate intracoelomic ...
The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the body but has other functions. [23] It breaks down both red and white blood cells that are spent. This is why it is sometimes known as the 'graveyard of red blood cells'. [23] A product of this digestion is the pigment bilirubin, which is sent to the liver and secreted in the bile.
In general, arteries and arterioles transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body and its organs, and veins and venules transport deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs. Blood vessels also circulate blood throughout the circulatory system. Oxygen (bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells) is the most critical nutrient carried by ...