Understand the role of the pancreas in the human body. The pancreas is a vital organ with both endocrine and exocrine functions.
Recognize that the pancreas is not involved in storing bile. Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Identify the endocrine function of the pancreas, which involves the production of hormones such as insulin and glucagon. These hormones regulate blood sugar levels.
Acknowledge that the pancreas is not solely an endocrine gland. It also has an exocrine function, producing digestive enzymes that help in the digestion of food.
Locate the pancreas anatomically. It is situated in the abdominal cavity, not the thoracic cavity, and lies behind the stomach.