pancreatic juice

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a thick, colorless, very alkaline fluid secreted by the pancreas, containing enzymes that break down protein, fat, and starch.

---

pancreatic juice British  

noun

1. the clear alkaline secretion of the pancreas that is released into the duodenum and contains several digestive enzymes

---

Etymology

Origin of pancreatic juice

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pancreatic juice

The most common form of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma, which develops in the glandular cells that produce pancreatic juice.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 30, 2026

Similarly, the pancreas controls pH levels in the small intestine by secreting bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice.

From US News ● May 12, 2015

One particularly productive dog had evidently set a record by producing active pancreatic juice for ten days before dying.

From The New Yorker ● Nov. 17, 2014

The smooth muscle sphincter of the hepatopancreatic ampulla controls the release of pancreatic juice and bile into the small intestine.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

There are probably, three distinct ferments in the pancreatic juice acting respectively on starch, fat, and proteid, but they have not been isolated, and the term pancreatin is sometimes used to suggest the three together.

From Text Book of Biology, Part 1: Vertebrata by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)