The pancreas is a large gland found behind the stomach and is connected to the small intestine by two ducts or tubes. One of the main roles of the pancreatic juice produced by the pancreas is to neutralise the acidic chyme in the upper small intestine.
When chyme enters the duodenum the pancreas is stimulated to secrete the three types of pancreatic juice, called amylase, trypsin and lipase. Amylase changes starch into simple sugars, trypsin breaks down partially digested proteins, and lipase splits fats into fatty acids and glycerin.
The juice also contains enzymes, which are capable of digesting all types of food, and sodium bicarbonate which is a strong base. The concentration of sodium bicarbonate is about the same as the concentration of the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach. When the acid and base are mixed in the small intestine they neutralise each other and the products are reabsorbed. This process maintains the acid-base balance of the blood by making sure there is not too much acid or base in the body.
The pancreas produces slightly less sodium carbonate per kilogram of body weight than amount of hydrochloric acid produced by the body. Therefore there is more hydrochloric acid in the intestine, which means that the chyme will be slightly acidic. The pancreas also releases enzymes that stimulate the liver to produce bile and makes the hormone insulin, which transports sugar. In some people the pancreas does not function correctly and insulin is not produced. This disease is called diabetes, which can be quite serious if not treated.
