The pancreas is a compound gland. It is both an endocrine gland, and an exocrine gland. The exocrine pancreas plays a crucial role in food digestion by secreting digesting enzymes and bicarbonate into the duodenum portion of the small intestine. The endocrine part of the pancreas is responsible for secreting at least four important hormones, two of which, insulin and glucagon, play an important role in plasma glucose homeostasis. Test your basic knowledge of the endocrine pancreas by taking this simple quiz.