Alpha cell
|
WikiDoc Resources for Alpha cell |
|
Articles |
|---|
|
Most recent articles on Alpha cell |
|
Media |
|
Evidence Based Medicine |
|
Clinical Trials |
|
Ongoing Trials on Alpha cell at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Alpha cell at Google
|
|
Guidelines / Policies / Govt |
|
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Alpha cell
|
|
Books |
|
News |
|
Commentary |
|
Definitions |
|
Patient Resources / Community |
|
Patient resources on Alpha cell Discussion groups on Alpha cell Patient Handouts on Alpha cell Directions to Hospitals Treating Alpha cell Risk calculators and risk factors for Alpha cell
|
|
Healthcare Provider Resources |
|
Causes & Risk Factors for Alpha cell |
|
Continuing Medical Education (CME) |
|
International |
|
|
|
Business |
|
Experimental / Informatics |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753
Overview
Alpha cells are endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. They make up 15-20% of the cells in the islets. They are responsible for synthesizing and secreting the peptide hormone glucagon, which elevates the glucose levels in the blood. In rodents alpha-cells are located in the periphery of the islets, in humans the islet arcitechture is generally less organized and alpha-cells are frequently observed inside the islets as well. In the electron microscope alpha-cells can be identified by their characteristic granules with a large dense core and a small white halo.
Alternative and more common spelling: alpha-cell or α-cell.
See also
External links
- Pancreatic+alpha+cells at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)