Anatomy
pancreas
pan·cre·as [ pan-kree-uh s, pang- ]
Subclass of:
Gastrointestinal system
Etymology:
Greek pan = all + kreas = flesh
Definitions related to pancreas:
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A digestive organ in the abdomen that has both endocrine and exocrine functions.CDISC TerminologyClinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
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A gland in the abdomen that produces digestive enzymes and hormones.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones, including insulin. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A nodular organ in the ABDOMEN that contains a mixture of ENDOCRINE GLANDS and EXOCRINE GLANDS. The small endocrine portion consists of the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS secreting a number of hormones into the blood stream. The large exocrine portion (EXOCRINE PANCREAS) is a compound acinar gland that secretes several digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ductal system that empties into the DUODENUM.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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An organ behind the lower part of the stomach that is the shape of a fish and about the size of a hand. It is a compound gland composed of both exocrine and endocrine tissues. The endocrine pancreas makes insulin so that the body can use glucose (sugar) for energy. The exocrine pancreas makes enzymes that help the body digest food. Spread all over the pancreas are areas called the Islets of Langerhans. The cells in these areas each have a special purpose. The alpha cells make glucagon, which raises the level of glucose in the blood; the beta cells make insulin; the delta cells make somatostatin. There are also PP cells and D1 cells, about which little is known.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Having to do with the pancreas.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Lobular organ the parenchyma of which consists of glandular acini which communicate via a duct system with the duodenum. Examples: There is only one pancreas.Foundational Model of AnatomyUniversity of Washington, 2017
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Mixed exocrine and endocrine gland situated transversely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions; endocrine portion is comprised of the islets of Langerhans, and the exocrine portion is a compound acinar gland that secretes digestive enzymes.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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(pancreatic) Of or pertaining to the pancreas.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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The pancreas is an organ that contains two types of glandular tissue: Pancreatic acini and Islets of Langerhans. The acini produce digestive enzymes. The islets produce hormones. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum and hormones into the bloodstream...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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The pancreas, named for the Greek words pan (all) and kreas (flesh), is a 12-15�cm long J-shaped (like a hockey stick), soft, lobulated, retroperitoneal organ. It lies transversely, although a bit obliquely, on the posterior abdominal wall behind the stomach, across the lumbar (L1-2) spine (see the image below).WebMD, 2019
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Pancreas, compound gland that discharges digestive enzymes into the gut and secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon, vital in carbohydrate (sugar) metabolism, into the bloodstream. In humans the pancreas weighs approximately 80 grams (about 3 ounces) and is shaped like a pear. It is located in...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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