Your pancreas is an organ in your body that is situated behind your stomach. It produces insulinand substances that help your body digest food.
pancreas in British English
(ˈpæŋkrɪəs)
noun
a large elongated glandular organ, situated behind the stomach, that secretes insulin and pancreatic juice
Derived forms
pancreatic (ˌpæŋkrɪˈætɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C16: via New Latin from Greek pankreas, from pan- + kreas flesh
pancreas in American English
(ˈpænkriəs; ˈpæŋkriəs)
noun
a large, elongated gland situated behind the stomach and secreting a digestive juice (pancreatic juice) into the small intestine: groups of differentiated cells (islets of Langerhans) in the gland produce the hormone insulin: the pancreas of animals, used as food, is usually called sweetbread
ModL < Gr pankreas < pan, all (see pan-) + kreas, flesh (see crude)
Examples of 'pancreas' in a sentence
pancreas
The pancreas produces insulin to manage blood sugar and turn it into energy.
The Sun (2016)
These include the pancreas and stomach.
The Sun (2009)
His kidneys, pancreas and liver were also transplanted.
The Sun (2008)
At 41 she underwent a double transplant of kidney and pancreas.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The pancreas still makes insulin but the body doesn't use it properly.
The Sun (2007)
It is thought toxins harm the pancreas, the organ which produces insulin.
The Sun (2006)
This increase triggers the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone which helps transport glucose into the cells.
Holford, Patrick The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
She received a liver, two kidneys and a pancreas in an eight-hour operation.
The Sun (2012)
Being this overweight puts huge strain on muscles and joints, as well as the heart, liver and pancreas.
The Sun (2013)
For other cancers, such as those of the lung and the pancreas, the prognosis has scarcely changed in recent decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At a certain point the pancreas releases insulin (and the liver releases glucose tolerance factor) which helps to transport the glucose from the blood into the cells.
Holford, Patrick The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
In other languages
pancreas
British English: pancreas NOUN
Your pancreas is an organ in your body that is situated behind your stomach. It produces insulin and substances that help your body digest food.