Alpha cell

Alpha cell
Pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans).
Alpha cells in red
Details
SystemEndocrine
LocationPancreatic islet
FunctionGlucagon secretion
Identifiers
THH3.04.02.0.00025
FMA70585
Anatomical terms of microanatomy

Alpha cells (α-cells) are endocrine cells that are found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Alpha cells secrete the peptide hormone glucagon in order to increase glucose levels in the blood stream.[1]

  1. ^ Islam, Md. Shahidul, ed. (2015). Islets of Langerhans. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6686-0. ISBN 978-94-007-6685-3. S2CID 26869330.