Question

Which of the following organs has both exocrine and endocrine functions?

• A. Pituitary \
• B. Thyroid gland \
• C. Pancreas \
• D. Adrenal gland

Hint:

Think of the Pancreas as a dual-action engine: it juices your food via ducts (exocrine) and manages your sugar via blood vessels (endocrine).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Concept Glands in the human body are broadly categorized into exocrine glands, which secrete chemical substances into specialized ducts, and endocrine glands, which secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. An organ possessing both types of tissue is classified as a heterocrine or mixed gland.

Step 2: Meaning The organ must structurally contain acinar or ductal components alongside highly vascularized, ductless cell clusters.

Step 3: Analysis * Pituitary, Thyroid, and Adrenal glands (A, B, and D) are purely ductless endocrine glands that synthesize systemic hormones. * The Pancreas (C) performs dual physiological tasks: its prominent exocrine portion contains pancreatic acini that manufacture digestive enzymes channeled into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct, while its distinct endocrine portion (the Islets of Langerhans) contains alpha and beta cells that produce blood-sugar regulatory hormones like glucagon and insulin directly into circulation.

Step 4: Conclusion Therefore, the pancreas acts uniquely as both an exocrine and endocrine organ, matching option C. Final Answer: (C)