hepatopancreas

[ hep-uh-toh-pan-kree-uhs, -pang-, hi-pat-uh- ]

noun

, Anatomy.

1. a large gland of shrimps, lobsters, and crabs that combines the functions of a liver and pancreas.

Other Words From

• hep·a·to·pan·cre·at·ic [hep-, uh, -toh-pan-kree-, at, -ik, -pang-, hi-pat-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepatopancreas¹

First recorded in 1880–85; hepato- + pancreas

Example Sentences

The crab’s flesh is stirred with the soft, mustard-colored hepatopancreas excavated from its innards.

From New York Times

It was also the “mustard,” the jolly euphemism for the crab’s bile-yellow hepatopancreas.

From Washington Post