Synonyms

pancreas

American

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

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

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.

pancreas British

/ ˈpæŋkrɪəs, ˌpæŋkrɪˈætɪk /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pancreas Scientific

/ păng′krē-əs /

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.

pancreas Cultural

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.

Other Word Forms

pancreatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pancreas

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There have also been hundreds of reports of people suffering problems with their pancreas - although none are confirmed as being caused by the medicines.

From BBC

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

From Science Daily

Researchers found that a protein called periostin, along with stellate cells in the pancreas, plays a crucial role in helping cancer cells invade nearby nerves.

From Science Daily

The pancreas is a small organ, located behind the stomach, that helps with digestion.

From BBC

One pattern, called "pancreatic predominant," is marked by unusually high fat levels in the pancreas compared with other parts of the body.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023