Which of the following is both an endocrine (secretes hormones into the blood) and exocrine (secretes substances through a duct into the GI tract) organ?

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Question restatement: Which of the following is both an endocrine (secretes hormones into the blood) and exocrine (secretes substances through a duct into the GI tract) organ?

Option 1: Large intestine. While it participates in digestion indirectly and contains enteroendocrine cells, it is not known as a primary exocrine digestive organ with a ducted secretory pathway like the pancreas. Its main functions are water absorption and mucus production; endocrine activity exists but not in the sense of a coordinated endocrine-exocrine organ system.

Option 2: Small intestine. The small intestine does have enteroendocrine cells that secrete hormones into the bloodstream (endocrine function) and it also has exocrine-like secretions into the gut lumen (intestinal juice, mucus from glands). However, the question targets organs classically recognized for both endocrine and exocrine physiology in one anatomical unit. While the small intestine has both types of activity, it is not typically cited as a primary dual-function organ in the same way as the pancreas.

Option 3: Pancreas. The pancreas is well-established as having an endocrine component (islets of Langerhans secreting insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, etc. into the blood) and an exocrine component (acinar cells producing pancreatic juice rich in digestive enzymes that are delivered to the GI tract via the pancreatic duct). This combination meets the criteria of both endocrine and exocrine function within a single organ.

Option 4: Gallbladder. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile and releases it into the GI tract, but it has no significant endocrine function. Its role is purely exocrine/secretory for bile storage and release, not endocrine signaling into the blood.

Rationale summary: The core idea is identifying an organ that simultaneously secretes substances into the bloodstream as hormones (endocrine) and secretes substances into the GI tract via ducts (exocrine). Although some tissues have both types of activity, the pancreas stands out as the canonical organ that embodies both endocrine and exocrine roles in a single organ system. The other options either lack a true endocrine role, lack a ductal exocrine pathway to the GI lumen, or do not integrate both functions as a single organ. Therefore, the pancreas is the only choice that clearly fits the description of being both endocrine and exocrine.

2025SP-FSHN-150-001 Module 03 - Quiz - The Human Body and Nutrition Perspective

Which of the following is both an endocrine (secretes hormones into the blood) and exocrine (secretes substances through a duct into the GI tract) organ?

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