George Hendrix is a 38-year-old man who has abused alcohol his entire adult life. Recently, following an episode of binge drinking, George experienced a gradual onset of pain in his upper abdomen that radiated to his back. The pain persisted for several hours and worsened each time that he ate. He also felt nauseous and experienced repeated episodes of vomiting. The pain grew more intense and George decided to drive himself to the emergency room of his local hospital. The physician who examined George in the ER noted the following findings when she performed a physical exam: Intense pain upon palpation of the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity, gaseous distension of the intestinal tract, and tachycardia. The physical exam findings, together with the history of alcohol abuse and the results of a CBC, serum chemistry panel, and abdominal ultrasound, led the physician to conclude that George was suffering from a case of acute pancreatitis. The doctor immediately initiated the appropriate medical therapy.

Requied:
a. Describe the anatomic location of the pancreas relative to the other organs in the upper portion.

b. Briefly outline the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas. Functioning as an exocrine gland, the pancreas excretes enzymes to break down the proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids in food. Functioning as an endocrine gland, the pancreas secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar levels throughout the day.

c. Describe the hormonal control of the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice during the digestive process.

c. Describe the hormonal control of the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice during the digestive process.
d. Explain why proteases are secreted in an inactive state and describe the means by which proteases are activated in the stomach and small intestine.