OVERVIEW OF PANCREATIC DUCT PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

The epithelium of the excretory duct system of the exocrine pancreas s ecretes bicarbonate ions and mucins. Epithelial cells of the duct syst em also constitute primary sites of dysfunction in cystic fibrosis, pa ncreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The present work provides an overvie w of the current state of understanding of the physiology and pathophy siology of the pancreatic duct system and suggests approaches that wil l provide continued progress in exploration of the basic physiological processes operating in this tissue.