Pancreatic

(pan-kre-at' -ik). Pertaining to the pancreas. P. Duct, the efferent j duct carrying the secretions of the pancreas to the intestines; it is also known as the duct of Wirsung. See Duct . P. Fluid, or Juice, the fluid secreted by the pancreas. It is thick, transparent, colorle , odorle , of a salty taste, and strongly alkaline. By heat it is coagulated into a white ma , from the presence of serum-albumin. Its composition is water 900.8, and solids 99.2. Of the latter, 90.4 are organic matter, and 8.8 inorganic matter. The ash from iooo parts of juice yields soda 0. 58; sodium chlorid 7.35; pota ium chlorid 0.02; phosphates of alkaline earths and iron 0.53; sodium phosphate 0.01; lime and magnesia 0.32. Traces of leucin and soaps are present in the fresh juice. The ferments or enzymes, four in number, that it contains give to it its important digestive power. Its diastatic action is due to amylopsin; its tryptic or proteolytic action results from the presence of trypsin; its action on fats is due to the presence of steapsin, which causes the fats to split up into glycerin and the corresponding fatty acids; and, finally, it contains a milk-curdling ferment.?an creatic a (pan-kre-at' -ikih). The pancreatic artery.