What does the pancreas primarily produce and secrete into the small intestine?

The pancreas plays a crucial role in the digestive system as well as in the regulation of blood sugar levels. Its primary function in relation to the small intestine is to produce and secrete digestive juices, which contain enzymes that are vital for the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

In addition to these digestive juices, the pancreas produces important hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which are secreted into the bloodstream to help regulate blood sugar levels. While these hormones are not secreted directly into the small intestine, their production is integral to the overall function of the pancreas in maintaining metabolic balance.

Thus, acknowledging both the digestive function through the secretion of digestive juices and the hormonal role underscores the comprehensive role of the pancreas in digestion and metabolic regulation, making the choice that encompasses both aspects the most accurate representation of the pancreas's primary functions.