Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Pancreas

Pancreas

The pancreas, an essential organ in the human body, is a pinkish-gray elongated structure located posterior to the stomach. It extends laterally from the duodenum towards the spleen and is firmly bound to the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity. The organ's surface has a lumpy, lobular texture that gives it a unique appearance.
The broad head of the pancreas lies within the loop formed by the duodenum, while its slender body reaches towards the spleen. The tail of the pancreas is short...

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

The pancreas, a vital organ within the abdominal cavity, plays dual roles in the digestive and endocrine systems, collaborating with exocrine and endocrine cells to maintain optimal digestion and blood sugar levels.
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are...

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:

Pancreatic Juice and Secretion

Pancreatic Juice and Secretion

Pancreatic juice is a clear fluid produced by the pancreas, containing water, salts, sodium bicarbonate, and enzymes vital for digestion in the small intestine. It helps break down large molecules, facilitating nutrient absorption.
When acidic chyme from the stomach enters the duodenum, it triggers the release of secretin, a hormone that prompts pancreatic juice secretion. After a fatty meal, cholecystokinin, another hormone, stimulates gallbladder contraction and enhances enzyme-rich...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Comments and illustrations on the complementary use of contrast-enhanced (endoscopic) ultrasound in cardiac tumors.

Endoscopic ultrasound·2026

Same author

Splenoses and Other Ectopic and Heterotopic Splenic Tissue: The Use of Long-Lasting Enhancement in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound to Avoid Unnecessary Intervention.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound LI-RADS nonradiation treatment response assessment: applications, challenges, and future directions.

Abdominal radiology (New York)·2026

Same author

[When Digital Meets Diagnostics: E-Learning Effectiveness in Internal Medicine Sonography Training].

Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie·2026

Same author

Ultrasound Characteristics of Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Multicenter Analysis.

Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

EUS in pediatric patients.

Endoscopic ultrasound·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Staining Protocols for Human Pancreatic Islets

Staining Protocols for Human Pancreatic Islets

Published on: May 23, 2012

[All about the Pancreas].

Christoph F Dietrich¹, Tobias Zander¹

¹Departement Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM) der Kliniken Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, Bern, Schweiz.

|June 29, 2022

Summary

Modern ultrasound techniques, including contrast-enhanced and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with elastography, significantly improve the detection and characterization of pancreatic lesions. These advancements aid in differentiating benign from malignant conditions like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Keywords:

Echtzeit Gewebe-Elastografie (TE)Pankreas Ultraschall Ultrason Ultrasound endoscopic ultrasound endoskopischer Ultraschall neuroendocrine tumour neuroendokriner Tumor pancreas pancréas real-time temps réel tissue elastography (TE)tumeur neuroendocrine échographie endoscopique élastographie tissulaire (TE)

More Related Videos

High Resolution 3D Imaging of the Human Pancreas Neuro-insular Network

High Resolution 3D Imaging of the Human Pancreas Neuro-insular Network

Published on: January 29, 2018

Author Spotlight: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Research Using Innovative Pancreatic Slice Platforms

Author Spotlight: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Research Using Innovative Pancreatic Slice Platforms

Published on: March 15, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Staining Protocols for Human Pancreatic Islets

Staining Protocols for Human Pancreatic Islets

Published on: May 23, 2012

High Resolution 3D Imaging of the Human Pancreas Neuro-insular Network

High Resolution 3D Imaging of the Human Pancreas Neuro-insular Network

Published on: January 29, 2018

Author Spotlight: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Research Using Innovative Pancreatic Slice Platforms

Author Spotlight: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Research Using Innovative Pancreatic Slice Platforms

Published on: March 15, 2024

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Medical Imaging
Oncology

Background:

Pancreatic lesions, including small solid pancreatic lesions (SPL) and cystic pancreatic lesions (CPL), require accurate characterization for appropriate management.
Distinguishing between benign and malignant pancreatic tumors is crucial for surgical planning and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the application of advanced ultrasound techniques in detecting and characterizing pancreatic lesions.
To highlight the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with elastography in differentiating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from other pancreatic pathologies.

Main Methods:

Utilizing contrast-enhanced transcutaneous ultrasound (TUS, CEUS) and contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CE-EUS).
Employing elastography to assess the stiffness of pancreatic lesions.
Analyzing enhancement patterns and tissue elasticity to characterize SPL and CPL.

Main Results:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) typically exhibit hypoenhancement in contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
Most benign pancreatic lesions show multi-enhancement patterns and are elastographically soft.
Elastography can effectively differentiate benign from malignant solid pancreatic lesions, with softer lesions being predominantly benign.

Conclusions:

Advanced ultrasound techniques, including CEUS and EUS with elastography, are powerful tools for characterizing pancreatic lesions.
These methods aid in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumors, guiding treatment strategies from radical surgery to conservative management.
Improved characterization of pancreatic lesions leads to better patient management and surgical decision-making.