pancreas

American  

[pan-kree-uhs, pang-] / ˈpæn kri əs, ˈpæŋ- /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. 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.

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pancreas British  

/ ˈpæŋkrɪəs, ˌpæŋkrɪˈætɪk /

noun

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

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pancreas Scientific  

/ păng′krē-əs /

1. 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.

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pancreas Cultural  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pancreatic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pancreas

First recorded in 1570–80; from New Latin, from Greek pánkreas “sweetbread”; pan- + kréas “flesh, meat”

Explanation

The pancreas is part of the digestive system. It helps the stomach digest food. It’s a large, long gland that secretes insulin and digestive enzymes. Although the stomach gets the most of the credit for digesting food, it has a helper — the pancreas. The pancreas hides behind your stomach and helps digest and absorb nutrients, and it also helps you maintain a healthy blood sugar level by secreting insulin. This dual function makes the pancreas part endocrine (for the insulin) and part exocrine (for the digestive juices). These two functions make the pancreas important, but you can actually live without it.

Example Sentences

“In 15 years, this is probably the first real big change or anticipated change in pancreas cancer.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

In this condition, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

GLP-1 receptors are expressed not just in the pancreas and stomach, but throughout the vagus nerve, the brain stem, and the hypothalamus.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

When given glucose, their pancreas responded more effectively, suggesting improved insulin release and steadier blood sugar levels.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026

He’d had cancer of the pancreas and in the end of the liver, and Ishmael had not been there at the final moment.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson