Relevant aspects of physiology in chronic pancreatitis

Specific points of physiology which are relevant for the understanding and management of chronic pancreatitis are focussed on. First, the regulatory factors of exocrine pancreatic secretion are described, discussing the role of the cholinergic system and of the classical gut hormones cholecystokinin and secretin. The association of upper gastrointestinal dysfunctions with a disturbed exocrine pancreatic response is also dealt with. Lastly, these changes are related to clinical consequences such as maldigestion or malabsorption.