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Published on: June 2, 2018
Developmental and metabolic disorders of the pancreas
Markus M Lerch1, Martin Zenker, Stefan Turi
1Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Friedrich-Loeffler-Strasse 23A, Greifswald 17485, Germany. lerch@uni-greifswald.de
Insights
This review covers pancreatic developmental and metabolic disorders. It details how abnormalities in embryonic development or genetic changes can impact pancreatic function and increase risks for diseases like pancreatitis and diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- The pancreas is crucial for both exocrine and endocrine functions.
- Pancreatic development originates from endoderm during early embryogenesis.
- Disorders affecting the pancreas can stem from developmental anomalies or genetic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review developmental disorders impacting pancreatic anatomy and function.
- To discuss metabolic disorders affecting the pancreas.
- To highlight genetic influences on pancreatic health and disease risk.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of developmental and metabolic disorders of the pancreas.
- Synthesis of information on embryogenesis and genetic contributions.
- Analysis of conditions leading to anatomic and metabolic abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Developmental disorders can cause structural pancreatic abnormalities.
- Genetic factors contribute to metabolic pancreatic diseases.
- Certain disorders increase the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Understanding pancreatic development is key to identifying congenital disorders.
- Metabolic and genetic factors significantly influence pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.
- This review consolidates knowledge on diverse pancreatic disorders for clinical and research insight.
Abstract:
The pancreas is an important exocrine and endocrine organ that develops from the dorsal and ventral anlagen during embryogenesis and arises from the endodermal lining of the duodenum within the first month of human embryonic life. A number of developmental disorders can either lead to anatomic abnormalities of the pancreas and its ducts, or can be part of complex disorders that affect multiorgan systems. Other genetic changes can lead to metabolic abnormalities that affect the pancreas exclusively or increase the lifetime risk for developing pancreatitis or pancreatic diabetes. This article reviews some of the developmental and metabolic disorders that can affect the endocrine and exocrine pancreas.
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