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The pancreas is an internal organ that has two main functions: the release of certain enzymes for digestion, and the release of various endocrine hormones. The digestive portion that produces digestive enzymes is called the "exocrine pancreas"; the hormone-producing portion is called the "endocrine pancreas". The hormones secreted by the endocrine pancreas are insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. The cells that secrete insulin are called Islet of Langerhans cells, or more simply just "islet cells".
Pancreas: A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones, including insulin. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.
Source: National Institute of Health
Pancreas: a large elongated exocrine gland located behind the stomach; secretes pancreatic juice and insulin
Source: WordNet 2.1
Pancreas : mixed exocrine and endocrine gland situated transversely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions; endocrine portion is comprised of the islets of Langerhans, and the exocrine portion is a compound acinar gland that secretes digestive enzymes.
Source: CRISP
The pancreas gland, located behind the stomach, releases digestive juices into the intestines and releases key hormones into the bloodstream. Some hormones produced in the islet cells of the pancreas and their effects are:
The pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand, is located behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes insulin and enzymes that help the body use and digest food. Spread all over the pancreas are clusters of cells called the islets of Langerhans. Islets are made up of two types of cells: the alpha cells, which make glucagon, a hormone that raises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, and the beta cells, which make insulin. (Source: excerpt from Pancreatic Islet Transplantation: NIDDK)
The pancreas is a gland located deep in the abdomen between the stomach and the spine (backbone). The liver , intestine , and other organs surround the pancreas.
The pancreas is about 6 inches long and is shaped like a flat pear. The widest part of the pancreas is the head, the middle section is the body, and the thinnest part is the tail.
Pancreas: The pancreas is an organ of the endocrine system and also an accessory and exocrine organ of the digestive system. It is located in the upper left area of the abdominal cavity. The pancreas has a variety of functions, including producing the pancreatic hormones glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin. These pancreatic hormones exert a variety of effects on the body's metabolism and help to regulate glucose and energy. The pancreas also secretes pancreatic juice, which helps to break down chyme in the small intestine during digestion.
The pancreas includes the islets of Langerhans, alpha cells, beta cells, delta cells, and pancreatic acini. Conditions that can afflict the pancreas include pancreatic cancer, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and trauma.
The following organs are closely related to the organ: Pancreas:
The following conditions are related to the organ: Pancreas:
The following list contains sub-parts of the organ: Pancreas:
These symptoms are related to afflictions of the organ: Pancreas:
Condition count: 24 ; see list below.
Organ types: Glands (79), Organs (325), Endocrine system (93), Hormonal system (93)
Produces: digestive enzymes, pancreatic juice, insulin, glucagon, somatostatin
Number: 1 pancreas
Main condition: Pancreas Conditions
Organs: list of all organs
The following list of medical conditions have 'Pancreas' or similar listed as an affected body part in our database:
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Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 7 May, 2013 (0:04)
