part of part of develops from pancreatic D cell A D cell located in the pancreas. Peripherally placed within the islets like type A cells; contains somatostatin. BTO:0000803 pancreatic delta cell Pancreatic D cells, also known as delta cells, are one of the main cell types found in the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas. They represent a minor fraction of the islet cells, comprising about 5% to 10% of the total islet cell population. Their main function is to produce and secrete the peptide hormone somatostatin, an inhibitory hormone that regulates the endocrine system. Their complex morphology, coupled with their distinctive function, sets the pancreatic D cells apart from other cells in the islets of Langerhans. They have long, neurite-like processes which allow them to make contact with other pancreatic endocrine cells at some distance from the cell body and create an extensive paracrine network. The somatostatin secreted by the pancreatic D cells has a variety of inhibitory effects on the secretory activity of other cells within the pancreas and the gastrointestinal system. In the pancreas, one of the principal roles of somatostatin is to inhibit both insulin and glucagon secretion, thereby playing a potent role in the regulation of blood glucose levels. The processes of pancreatic D cells can be >20μm long and may make contact with multiple pancreatic A and B type cells, potentially explaining the secretion of both glucagon and insulin observed in the presence of somatostatin receptor antagonists. The dual inhibitory role makes somatostatin a key player in preventing the excessive action of these hormones and maintaining metabolic balance. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) delta cell of pancreatic islet somatostatin-secreting pancreatic cell pancreatic D-cell FMA:70587 D-cell of pancreatic islet https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0000173 ZFA:0005743 https://cdn.humanatlas.io/digital-objects/2d-ftu/pancreas-islets-langerhans/v1.2/assets/2d-ftu-pancreas-islets-langerhans.png delta cell of islet type D enteroendocrine cell progenitor cell of endocrine pancreas pancreatic endocrine cell Homo sapiens islet of Langerhans pancreas