pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
ˈpan-
: a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon
pancreatic adjective

Examples of pancreas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It’s also intertwined with organs like the liver, the pancreas and fat tissue, and implicated in the progression of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025 There was extensive damage to his liver and pancreas as the bullets continued down. CBS News, 8 May 2025 The glucose enters your bloodstream, and then your pancreas is able to release insulin into your bloodstream. Julia Ries, Health, 9 Apr. 2025 Other Serious But Less Common Side Effects Rarely, GLP-1 agonists can cause a condition called acute pancreatitis, which is when your pancreas gets inflamed. Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pancreas

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pankreas sweetbread, from pan- + kreas flesh, meat — more at raw

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pancreas was in 1578

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Cite this Entry

“Pancreas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pancreas. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pancreas

noun
pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
ˈpan-
: a large gland of vertebrates that lies near the stomach and produces digestive enzymes and insulin
pancreatic adjective

Medical Definition

pancreas

noun
pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs, ˈpan- How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
plural pancreases also pancreata pan-ˈkrē-ət-ə How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
: 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

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