Where is the hormone gastrin produced?

Gastrin is a hormone that plays a critical role in the digestive process, specifically in the regulation of gastric acid secretion. It is produced by G cells, which are located in the antrum of the stomach. When food enters the stomach, these G cells secrete gastrin into the bloodstream, which then stimulates the parietal cells of the stomach lining to produce hydrochloric acid. This acid is essential for digestion and helps create an optimal environment for the action of digestive enzymes.

The other options are associated with different functions in the digestive system. The pancreas, for example, produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon, as well as digestive enzymes. The duodenum is primarily involved in the further digestion of food through the secretion of enzymes and the neutralization of stomach acid, rather than hormone production. The gallbladder, meanwhile, stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver but does not produce gastrin. Thus, the specific production of gastrin in the stomach is crucial for understanding its role in digestive physiology.