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

Despite the pancreas being responsible for multiple functions, there are circumstances in which removing part or all of the pancreas is necessary. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025

For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of in silico testing as a replacement for animal testing in efforts to develop an artificial pancreas for diabetics. —Behnood Gholami, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2018

Healthcare providers consider removing part or all of the pancreas when pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis complications are present and other treatment options are not effective. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025

The brain, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas process some alcohol as well. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 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