Pancreatic Ductal Cell

Pancreatic ductal cells are specialized epithelial cells that line the branched ducts of the pancreas. Their primary role is to transport digestive enzymes produced by acinar cells into the duodenum and to secrete bicarbonate-rich fluid, which neutralizes stomach acid entering the small intestine. These cells form a complex network of ducts, ranging from small intercalated ducts to larger intralobular, interlobular, and finally the main pancreatic duct. Pancreatic ductal cells make up about 10% of pancreatic cell number but only about 4% by volume. The ductal system starts with intercalated ducts (lined by simple squamous or cuboidal epithelium), merging into intralobular and then interlobular ducts (cuboidal/columnar epithelium), culminating in the main pancreatic duct (simple columnar epithelium).