pancreas
noun
pan·cre·as
ˈpaŋ-krē-əs 
ˈpan-
: a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon
Examples of pancreas in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to producing insulin, the pancreas makes digestive enzymes that help break down food.
—
Emily Mullin, WIRED, 10 July 2023
Eyes, corneas, kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreases, bones and skin are subject to the rule.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2023
Gallstones that block the duct that the pancreas sends its enzymes through can also cause pancreatitis.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023
Normally, when blood glucose rises, the pancreas releases insulin.
—Sherry Christiansen Updated, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2023
An ultrasound revealed that Sugar’s stomach was significantly distended and inflamed and that her pancreas was swollen and inflamed, according to the affidavit.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023
To count under the metric, a donor must have an organ used for transplant or for pancreas research.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2023
Because the pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, pancreatic tumors may develop and grow for a period before people become symptomatic.
—Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 3 May 2023
Data compiled by a government contractor and provided to The Washington Post show the number of pancreases collected from 2013 to 2020 remained steady at just over 500 annually.
—Lenny Bernstein, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2023
See More
Emily Mullin, WIRED, 10 July 2023
Eyes, corneas, kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreases, bones and skin are subject to the rule.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2023
Gallstones that block the duct that the pancreas sends its enzymes through can also cause pancreatitis.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023
Normally, when blood glucose rises, the pancreas releases insulin.
—Sherry Christiansen Updated, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2023
An ultrasound revealed that Sugar’s stomach was significantly distended and inflamed and that her pancreas was swollen and inflamed, according to the affidavit.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023
To count under the metric, a donor must have an organ used for transplant or for pancreas research.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2023
Because the pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, pancreatic tumors may develop and grow for a period before people become symptomatic.
—Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 3 May 2023
Data compiled by a government contractor and provided to The Washington Post show the number of pancreases collected from 2013 to 2020 remained steady at just over 500 annually.
—Lenny Bernstein, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pancreas.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Pancreas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pancreas. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pancreas
noun
pan·cre·as
ˈpaŋ-krē-əs
ˈpan-
: a large gland of vertebrates that lies near the stomach and produces digestive enzymes and insulin
Medical Definition
pancreas
noun
pan·cre·as
ˈpaŋ-krē-əs, ˈpan-
plural pancreases also pancreata
pan-ˈkrē-ət-ə
: a large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach and 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 acini secreting 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 tubules and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon; and (3) a firm connective-tissue capsule that extends supportive strands into the organ
More from Merriam-Webster on pancreas
Nglish: Translation of pancreas for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pancreas for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pancreas
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