In the middle of each grape-like bunch in your pancreas sits a pale, flat cell. Centroacinar cells mark the very start of the pancreas pipes.
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Your pancreas has round bunches of enzyme-making cells called acinar cells. In the very middle of each bunch is a centroacinar cell. Centro means center!
Centroacinar cells are small, flat, and pale. They are the first cells of the tiny pipe, or duct, that carries juice out of the bunch.
Under a microscope, centroacinar cells look like a light spot in the middle of each dark bunch, because they are so pale.
Acinar cells pour out enzymes, but enzymes need a watery juice to carry them along. Centroacinar cells help add it.
Their juice has bicarbonate, a bit like baking soda. It washes the enzymes down the pipe and later helps calm stomach acid in the small intestine.
Scroll up to the 3D model and press Start the flow to see juice carry the enzymes away.