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Which part of the pancreas produces digestive enzymes?

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An anatomical illustration of the human pancreas shows its location near the stomach and intestines, a detailed cross-section highlighting ducts and the islet of Langerhans, and an inset of pancreatic tissue histology with labeled alpha, beta, and delta cells. — pancreatic cancer The human pancreas is composed of two main types of tissue: acinar cells and islets of Langerhans. The acinar cells produce digestive enzymes, which are secreted into tiny ducts that feed into the pancreatic duct. Islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells that secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon directly into a capillary network, which also joins the pancreatic duct.

The digestive enzymes of the pancreas are produced by the exocrine tissue, specifically the acinar cells.1

These cells, which make up more than 95 percent of the exocrine pancreas, synthesize various enzymes responsible for breaking down dietary proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the small intestine. The enzymes are stored as zymogen granules within the cytoplasm of the acinar cells before being secreted into the central ductal lumen in response to hormonal and neural stimulation.21