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Dictionary » Pancreas
 

Pancreas

Introduction: Pancreas

Description of Pancreas

Pancreas: , pl. pancreata [TA] An elongated lobulated retroperitoneal gland, devoid of a distinct capsule, extending from the concavity of the duodenum to the spleen; it consists of a flattened head within the duodenal concavity, a neck connecting the head and body, an elongated three-sided body extending transversely across the abdomen, and a tail in contact with the spleen. The gland secretes from its exocrine part pancreatic juice that is discharged into the intestine, and from its endocrine part the internal secretions insulin and glucagon. [G. pankreas, the sweetbread, fr. pas (pan), all, + kreas, flesh]
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Pancreas: 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.
Source: National Institute of Health

Pancreas: a large elongated exocrine gland located behind the stomach; secretes pancreatic juice and insulin.
Source: WordNet 2.1

Pancreas: 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.
Source: CRISP

Pancreas: 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.
Source: MeSH 2007

Pancreas as an Organ

Pancreas (organ): Gland producing both digestive enzymes and various endocrine hormones.

Pancreas (organ): The pancreas is an internal organ that has two main functions: the release of certain enzymes for digestion, and the release of various endocrine hormones. The digestive portion that produces digestive enzymes is called the "exocrine pancreas"; the hormone-producing portion is called the "endocrine pancreas". The hormones secreted by the endocrine pancreas are insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. The cells that secrete insulin are called Islet of Langerhans cells, or more simply just "islet cells".

Pancreas (organ): The pancreas gland, located behind the stomach, releases digestive juices into the intestines and releases key hormones into the bloodstream. Some hormones produced in the islet cells of the pancreas and their effects are:

  • insulin--lowers blood sugar;
  • glucagon--raises blood sugar;
  • somatostatin--inhibits many cells.

(Source: excerpt from Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1: NIDDK)

The pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand, is located behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes insulin and enzymes that help the body use and digest food. Spread all over the pancreas are clusters of cells called the islets of Langerhans. Islets are made up of two types of cells: the alpha cells, which make glucagon, a hormone that raises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, and the beta cells, which make insulin. (Source: excerpt from Pancreatic Islet Transplantation: NIDDK)

The pancreas is a gland located deep in the abdomen between the stomach and the spine (backbone). The liver , intestine , and other organs surround the pancreas.

The pancreas is about 6 inches long and is shaped like a flat pear. The widest part of the pancreas is the head, the middle section is the body, and the thinnest part is the tail.

(Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Pancreas: NCI)

Pancreas (organ): See Pancreas (organ information).

More information on organs: Pancreas:

Terms associated with Pancreas:

Related Topics

Source - MeSH 2007

More specific terms for Pancreas:

Source - MeSH 2007

Source - CRISP

Broader terms for Pancreas

Source - CRISP

Source - WordNet 2.1

The term Pancreas can be used for:

Source: CRISP

Hierarchical classifications of Pancreas

The following list attempts to classify Pancreas into categories where each line is subset of the next.

WordNet 2.1

  • duct gland,exocrine gland
  • gland,secreter,secretor,secretory organ
  • organ
  • body part
  • part,piece
  • thing
  • entity

Source: WordNet 2.1

MeSH 2007 Hierarchy:

Interesting Medical Articles:

Medical dictionaries:

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