pan·cre·as   (pāng'krē-əs, pān'-)    (click for larger image in new window) n.  A long, irregularly shaped gland in vertebrates, lying behind the stomach, that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum and insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin into the bloodstream. [Greek pankreas : pan-, pan- + kreas, flesh; see kreuə- in Indo-European roots.] pan'cre·at'ic (pāng'krē-āt'ĭk, pān'-) adj.

Main Entry: pan·cre·as
Pronunciation: 'pa[ng]-krE-&s, 'pan-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural pan·cre·as·es also pan·cre·ata /pan-'krE-&t-&/
: a large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomachand is somewhat hammer-shaped and firmly attached anteriorly to the curve of the duodenum with which it communicates through one or more pancreatic ducts and that consists of (1) tubular acinisecreting digestive enzymes which pass to the intestine and function in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; (2) modified acinar cells that form islets of Langerhans between the tubulesand secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon; and (3) a firm connective-tissue capsule that extends supportive strands into the organ

pancreas pan·cre·as (pāng'krē-əs, pān'-)
n. pl. pan·cre·a·ta (pān-krē'ə-tə)
A lobulated gland without a capsule, that extends from the concavity of the duodenum to the spleen, consists of a flattened head within the duodenal concavity, an elongated three-sided body extending across the abdomen, and a tail touching the spleen, and secretes insulin and glucagon internally and pancreatic juice externally into the intestine.

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pan'cre·at'ic (pāng'krē-āt'ĭk, pān'-) adj.

pancreas   (pāng'krē-əs)  Pronunciation Key  (click for larger image in new window) 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.