islets of Langerhans

/ ˈlæŋəˌhæns /

plural noun

1. small groups of endocrine cells in the pancreas that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon

islets of Langerhans

/ ī′lĭtsəvläng′ər-häns′ /

1. Irregular clusters of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the tissue of the pancreas. The islets of Langerhans contain cells that produce and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of islets of Langerhans¹

C19: named after Paul Langerhans (1847–88), German physician