pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs 

ˈpan-

: a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon

pancreatic

ˌpaŋ-krē-ˈa-tik 

ˌpan-

adjective

Examples of pancreas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Related: Scientists are starting to uncover how neighborhood can affect the biology of cancer Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, the hormone that manages blood sugar levels. —Rohan Rajeev, STAT, 8 Aug. 2024

It is produced in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas and primarily stored in muscles, with a small amount in the brain. —Staff Author, Health, 6 Aug. 2024

As previously reported by USA TODAY, semaglutide, the clinical name for the drug, mimics the hormone GLP-1, which helps the pancreas release insulin. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024

Trypsin: The pancreas releases trypsinogen, an inactive precursor of trypsin, which is activated in the small intestine. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pankreas sweetbread, from pan- + kreas flesh, meat — more at raw

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs 

ˈpan-

: a large gland of vertebrates that lies near the stomach and produces digestive enzymes and insulin

pancreatic

ˌpaŋ-krē-ˈat-ik 

ˌpan-

adjective

Medical Definition

pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs, ˈpan- 

plural pancreases also pancreata pan-ˈkrē-ət-ə 

: a large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach and is somewhat hammer-shaped and firmly attached anteriorly to the curve of the duodenum with which it communicates through one or more pancreatic ducts and that consists of (1) tubular acini secreting digestive enzymes which pass to the intestine and function in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; (2) modified acinar cells that form islets of Langerhans between the tubules and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon; and (3) a firm connective-tissue capsule that extends supportive strands into the organ