Performance characteristics of a model secreting acinus

An acinus is the principal secretion unit of an exocrine gland. This paper sets up a mathematical model of an acinus and examines the effect on the output of varying the operating parameters, both of the secretion mechanism and the fluid properties. Particular reference is made to acini of the pancreas. The question of whether the effects of cystic fibrosis on the pancreas can be attributed to the increased viscosity of the exudate is also considered. The work identifies key parameters, and their quantitative ranges, which would need to be examined experimentally in order to resolve this question.