Definition
- Pancreatic juice is the exocrine secretion of the pancreas, made of an aqueous and an enzyme component, that digests fat, protein and carbohydrate delivered to the small intestine.
Daily volume1 to 1.5 litres
pH 7.5 to 8.5, alkaline
- It is alkaline because it is rich in bicarbonate, which protects duodenal mucosa from acidic chyme.
Composition of Pancreatic Juice
- Aqueous component (98%): water and ions.
- Cations: Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+.
- Anions: HCO3−, Cl−, PO43−, SO42−.
- Enzyme component (2%): digestive enzymes for lipid, protein and carbohydrate digestion, secreted by acinar cells.