Pancreas. Computer artwork of a human pancreas. The pancreas contains cells which secrete digest- ive juices and the hormones insulin and glucagon. The pancreas lies in the abdomen, its head (lower left) lying against the duodenum of the small intestine. The pancreas is 15-20 centimetres (cm) in length and up to 2.5cm thick; it weighs about 85 grams. The pancreatic juice discharged into the duodenum neutralises the acidity of food coming from the stomach & helps to digest it. The pancreas contains small clumps (Islets of Langerhans) of specialised cells which release hormones directly into the bloodstream. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels and glucagon raises blood sugar.