Delta cell

Delta cells (δ-cells or D cells) are somatostatin producing cells.

They can be found in the stomach, intestine and the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

In rodents delta-cells are located in the periphery of the islets; in humans the islet architecture is generally less organized and delta-cells are frequently observed inside the islets as well.

In the electron microscope, delta-cells can be identified as cells with smaller and slightly more compact granules than beta cells.

Clinical significance

A tumor of the delta cells is called a "somatostatinoma".

External links

• MeSH D+Cells
• Delta+cell at eMedicine Dictionary
• c_18/12223106 at Dorland's Medical Dictionary

Endocrine system > Pancreas - Islets of Langerhans
A/B	alpha cell (glucagon) • beta cell (insulin)
Other	delta cell (somatostatin) • PP cell (pancreatic polypeptide) • epsilon cell (ghrelin)

[hide] Digestive system, physiology: gastrointestinal physiology
Enteric nervous system	Meissner's plexus - Auerbach's plexus
Exocrine	Chief cells (Pepsinogen) - Parietal cells (Gastric acid, Intrinsic factor) - Goblet cells (Mucus)
Endocrine/paracrine	G cells (gastrin), D cells (somatostatin) - ECL cells (Histamine) - enterogastrone: I cells (CCK), K cells (GIP), S cells (secretin)
Border	Brunner's glands - Paneth cells - Enterocytes
Fluids	Saliva - Bile - Intestinal juice - Gastric juice - Pancreatic juice
Processes	Swallowing - Vomiting - Peristalsis (Interstitial cell of Cajal) - Migrating motor complex - Borborygmus - Gastrocolic reflex - Segmentation contractions - Defecation