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How can blockage of a gland duct cause atrophy in the pancreas or a kidney?

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atrophy One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).

When a gland that releases secretions through a duct—such as the pancreas—experiences a complete obstruction, the resulting atrophy of glandular tissue is primarily driven by two factors: disuse and increased internal pressure.1

In the pancreas, the blockage of the duct prevents the outflow of digestive enzymes, leading to the atrophy of the acinar tissue. Notably, the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans are typically spared because their secretions are released directly into the bloodstream rather than through the duct.1

Similarly, rapid and complete obstruction of a ureter causes atrophy in the kidney. This process involves the backup of urine, which leads to the distension of the renal pelvis and calyces. This pressure interferes with blood flow to the renal tissue, causing the functional structures that produce urine to degenerate and eventually be replaced by fibrous scar tissue.2