Both spleen and pancreas are two important organs that lie behind the stomach in the abdominal cavity of the human body .These two organs belong to separate organ systems and play different functions in the body system. Spleen is one of the secondary lymphatic organs and associated with the immune system and circulatory system, whereas pancreas is a gland associated with the human digestive system.
What is Spleen?
Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ located in the upper left region of the abdominal cavity and lies behind the diaphragm and the stomach.It is considered as a secondary lymphatic organ as it plays major roles in the immune system. The outer layer of the spleen is called serous coat while the inner part is called inner fibromuscular capsule. Trabeculae and trabecular network arise from this capsule. The trabecular network contains elastin fibers, collagen fibers, smooth-muscle fibers and reticular cells. There are two types of tissues found in the parenchyma of the spleen, namely; (a) red pulp; which is composed of venous sinus, blood cells, macrophages and mesenchymal cells, and (b) white pulp; consisted of a central artery, which is surrounded by Malpighian corpuscles. The main functions of spleen are the formation and destruction of blood cells, storage site of blood, and filtering the blood by destroying the micro-organisms.
What is Pancreas?
Pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach. It is divided into four main regions; head, neck, body and tail. The head region of the pancreas lies in the C-shaped space of the duodenum. The head and the body of the pancreas are connected by the neck. The body is elongated and extends from the neck to the tail. The tail of the pancreas is a narrow part that makes the left end of the pancreas and is in contact with spleen. Two ducts arise from pancreas that convey pancreatic secretions into the duodenum, namely; (a) main pancreatic duct, which begins in the tail and joins with bile duct in the end , and (b) accessory pancreatic duct which joins the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla. As a gland, pancreas involves in both exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine part of pancreas secretes enzymes that play very important roles in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The endocrine function of the pancreas is the production of two important hormones, insulin and glucagon.
What is the difference between Spleen and Pancreas?
• Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ that is associated with both immune and circulatory system, whereas pancreas is a large gland associated with the digestive system.
• The main functions of spleen are to produce and restrict blood cells, store blood, and filter blood by destroying the microorganisms, whereas the functions of the pancreas are the production of hormones including insulin and glucagon , and secrete digestive enzymes including amylase, lipase and some inactive precursors of photolytic enzymes.
• Pancreas can be divided into four major regions; head, neck, body and tail, unlike spleen.
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