Acinar cells: exocrine cells that produce enzymes to help with the digestion of food
Islet Cells: group of endocrine cells including alpha (glucagon) and beta (insulin) cells that manipulate the level of blood glucose. Also called islet of Langerhans.
Ductal Cell: cells lining the pancreatic ducts that also make a bicarbonate rich secretion to help maintain pH
Connective Tissue:
Squamous (transitional) metaplasia: transitioning of normal cuboidal epithelial cells into another distinct type of cells
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC): type of exocrine pancreatic cancer developing through acinar to ductal metaplasia
Pancreatic Intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN):
Normal: cuboidal epithelium with no atypia later mentioned
PanIN 1a: distinguishable by flat, basally located nuclei within columnar cells and with mucin present. Nuclei that have an oval shape are oriented perpendicular to the basement membrane.
PanIN 1b: display papillary or basally located pseudostratified structure. Otherwise identical to PanIN 1a
PanIN 2: present as flat or papillary and display abnormal nuclear characteristics such as loss of polarity, nuclear crowding, enlarged nuclei, pseudostratification, and hyperchromatism. NO cribriforming luminal necrosis
PanIN 3: typically papillary with cribriforming of the lumen and loss of nuclear polarity. Small clusters of epithelial cells “budding off” into the lumen.
