pancreas

[ pan-kree-uhs, pang- ]
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nounAnatomy, Zoology.
  1. 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.

Origin of pancreas

1
First recorded in 1570–80; from New Latin, from Greek pánkreas “sweetbread”; pan- + kréas “flesh, meat”

Other words from pancreas

  • pan·cre·at·ic [pan-kree-at-ik, pang-], /ˌpæn kriˈæt ɪk, ˌpæŋ-/, adjective

Words Nearby pancreas

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How to use pancreas in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pancreas

pancreas

/ (ˈpæŋkrɪəs) /


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

Origin of pancreas

1
C16: via New Latin from Greek pankreas, from pan- + kreas flesh

Derived forms of pancreas

  • pancreatic (ˌpæŋkrɪˈætɪk), adjective

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

Scientific definitions for pancreas

pancreas

[ păngkrē-əs ]


  1. 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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for pancreas

pancreas

[ (pang-kree-uhs, pan-kree-uhs) ]


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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.