Pancreas and Diabetes Mellitus: The Relationship between the Organ and the Disease

Diabetes mellitus has been a fascinating disease from the dawn of medical history. The first breakthrough in its treatment came in 1922, with the discovery of insulin which was extracted from the pancreas of a dog. Even earlier, a relationship between pancreas and diabetes mellitus had been suspected by medical scientists. However, the study of diabetes mellitus is much more than its relationship with the pancreas. On the other hand the pancreas has been known to be a very reclusive organ that is hidden away from physicians and surgeons for centuries. In recent times, it has become more accessible and has yielded some of its secrets. The relationship between the pancreas and diabetes mellitus is a story full of complexities and surprises. This article attempts to reveal some of the important events and persons in the story and the controversies surrounding them.