What is the primary function of the pancreas in the digestive system?

The primary function of the pancreas in the digestive system is to deliver enzymes to the small intestine. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that play a crucial role in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which are essential for the digestion of food. When food enters the small intestine, these enzymes are secreted to help with the digestion process, allowing nutrients to be efficiently absorbed later on.

While regulating blood sugar levels is also a critical function of the pancreas, as it produces insulin and glucagon, this function is more related to endocrine activity rather than its primary role in digestion. Producing bile is the function of the liver, not the pancreas, and absorption of nutrients occurs primarily in the small intestine, not within the pancreas itself. Thus, the delivery of enzymes to the small intestine is the most direct answer regarding the digestive function of the pancreas.