definitions

pancreas

[ pan-kree-uh s, pang- ]
/ ˈpæn kri əs, ˈpæŋ- /
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noun Anatomy, Zoology.

a gland, situated near the stomach, that secretes a digestive fluid into the intestine through one or more ducts and also secretes the hormone insulin.

RELATED WORDS

heart, marrow, stomach, tongue, tripe, brains, chitlins, chitterlings, giblets, gizzard, kidneys, liver, sweetbread, testis, thymus

Nearby words

pancoast's operation, pancolectomy, pancosmism, pancratic, pancratium, pancreas, pancreat-, pancreatalgia, pancreatectomy, pancreatic, pancreatic artery
Compare islet of Langerhans, pancreatic juice.

Origin of pancreas

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek pánkreas sweetbread, equivalent to pan- pan- + kréas flesh, meat

Related forms

pan·cre·at·ic [pan-kree-at-ik, pang-] /ˌpæn kriˈæt ɪk, ˌpæŋ-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pancreas

British Dictionary definitions for pancreas

pancreas

/ (ˈpæŋkrɪəs) /

noun

a large elongated glandular organ, situated behind the stomach, that secretes insulin and pancreatic juice

Derived Forms

pancreatic (ˌpæŋkrɪˈætɪk), adjective

Word Origin for pancreas

C16: via New Latin from Greek pankreas, from pan- + kreas flesh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for pancreas

pancreas

[ păng′krē-əs ]

n. pl. pan•cre•a•ta (păng-krē′ə-tə)

A lobulated gland without a capsule, extending from the concavity of the duodenum to the spleen, consisting of a flattened head within the duodenal concavity, an elongated three-sided body extending across the abdomen, and a tail touching the spleen, and secreting insulin and glucagon internally and pancreatic juice externally into the intestine.

Related forms

pan′cre•at′ic (păng′krē-ăt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for pancreas

pancreas

[ păng′krē-əs ]

A long, irregularly shaped gland in vertebrate animals that is located behind the stomach and is part of the digestive system. It secretes hormones (insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin) into the bloodstream and digestive enzymes into the small intestine or gut. The pancreas also secretes sodium bicarbonate, which protects the lining of the intestine by neutralizing acids from the stomach.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for pancreas

pancreas

[ (pang-kree-uhs, pan-kree-uhs) ]

A gland behind the stomach that functions in both the endocrine system and the digestive system. Its endocrine function involves the secretion into the bloodstream of insulin, which regulates the level of sugars in the blood. As part of the digestive system, the pancreas secretes into the small intestine a fluid containing enzymes that is used in the digestion of all foods.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.