pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs 

ˈpan-

: a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon

pancreatic

ˌpaŋ-krē-ˈa-tik 

ˌpan-

adjective

Examples of pancreas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditional approaches, such as whole pancreas transplantation and pancreatic islet transplantation, have shown efficacy but are limited by high costs, the scarcity of donor organs, and the invasive nature of the procedures. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

The first pancreas donated to their research arrived in the lab in July 2021 and the pace slowly picked up. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 4 Dec. 2024

The company also has FDA cleared devices for transporting hearts, lungs, pancreases and livers for transplant. —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

It is caused by insulin resistance, where the body can’t respond fully to the insulin the pancreas produces, so blood glucose rises (hyperglycemia). —New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pankreas sweetbread, from pan- + kreas flesh, meat — more at raw

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs 

ˈpan-

: a large gland of vertebrates that lies near the stomach and produces digestive enzymes and insulin

pancreatic

ˌpaŋ-krē-ˈat-ik 

ˌpan-

adjective

Medical Definition

pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs, ˈpan- 

plural pancreases also pancreata pan-ˈkrē-ət-ə 

: a large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach and is somewhat hammer-shaped and firmly attached anteriorly to the curve of the duodenum with which it communicates through one or more pancreatic ducts and that consists of (1) tubular acini secreting digestive enzymes which pass to the intestine and function in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; (2) modified acinar cells that form islets of Langerhans between the tubules and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon; and (3) a firm connective-tissue capsule that extends supportive strands into the organ