pancreato-

1. a combining form representing pancreas in compound words.

   pancreatotomy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pancreato-¹

< New Latin < Greek pankreat- (stem of pánkreas ); see -o-

When To Use

What does pancreato- mean?

Pancreato- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “pancreas.” The pancreas is "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." The form pancreato- is occasionally used in medical terms, especially in pathology.Pancreato- comes from Greek pánkreas, meaning “sweetbread.” Yes—sweetbread. Discover why at our entry for sweetbread.What are variants of pancreato-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, pancreato- becomes pancreat-, as in pancreatectomy. Another, less common variant of pancreato- is pancreatico-, as in pancreaticoduodenal. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for pancreat- and pancreatico-.