Definition of pancreas
: a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon
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Recent Examples of pancreas from the Web
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Other cancers linked to tobacco include that of the mouth, larynx, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas and cervix, as well as a form of leukemia.
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The head of the pancreas also was damaged and Case's colon had to be removed.
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Sugar also causes the pancreas to release the hormone insulin, which binds to receptors on the cell surface, allowing glucose to enter the cell and lowering blood sugar levels.
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By using tumor-targeting nanoparticles filled with chemotherapy drugs, scientists kept kidney and pancreas cancers from spreading through the bodies of mice.
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Origin and Etymology of pancreas
New Latin, from Greek pankreas sweetbread, from pan- + kreas flesh, meat — more at raw
First Known Use: 1578
PANCREAS Defined for English Language Learners
pancreas
playDefinition of pancreas for English Language Learners
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: a large gland of the body that is near the stomach and that produces insulin and other substances that help the body digest food
PANCREAS Defined for Kids
pancreas
playDefinition of pancreas for Students
: a large gland near the stomach that produces insulin and a fluid (pancreatic juice) with enzymes that aid digestion
Medical Dictionary
pancreas
playMedical Definition of pancreas
pancreases
alsopancreata
\pan-ˈkrē-ət-ə\play: 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
Illustration of pancreas
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Spanish Central: Translation of 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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