Book Title: Preksha Dhyana Perception of Body
Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Page 22
________________ Perception of Body digestive enzymes is produced and poured into the duodenum. This gland functions both as a digestive organ (execrine gland), and as an endocrine gland. In fact, it is two unrelated organs into onc. Scattered throughont the pancreas are many pin-head-sized clusters of special cells. These are the Islets of Langerhans which carry out the endocrine function by secreting insulin and glucagon. Both are concerned with the regulation of the body's carbohy-- drate metabolism, by keeping the blood-sugar level within a relatively narrow range. 5. Endocrine System The endocrine glands are ductless and their production passes directly into the blood-stream, circulates all over the body and acts at places far from where it originated. These glands are scattered through the body-like islands. Nevertheless, they are unified into a finely coordinated system, function in a marvellously harmonious fashion and control and coordinate the activities of the body. The main endocrines are : the pineal, pituitary, thyroid, para-thyroid, thymus, adrenals, Islets of Langerhans and gonads (sexglands). All these glands are comparatively small. They have access to very rich vascular supply. The products of these glands are organic chemical compounds called hormone which are effective in very small quantities The Pineal Gland This gland lies near the centre of the brain. It is very small, not much larger than a grain of wheat. As its name implies, it is a cone-shaped body, reddish in colour and weighs about gm. It is hidden away at the base of the brain in a tiny cave behind and above the pituitary gland. The Pituitary Gland This gland is about the size of a pea, situated almost exactly in the centre of the head at the base of the brain and just behind the root of the nose. It hangs suspended from the underside of the brain in a little cup or cradle. It Jain Education International For Private & Personal use. Only www.jainelibrary.org

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