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pancreas

Pronunciation: /ˈpaŋkrɪəs/
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Definition of pancreas

noun (plural pancreases)

  • a large gland behind the stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Embedded in the pancreas are the islets of Langerhans, which secrete into the blood the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Derivatives

pancreatic

Pronunciation: /-ˈatɪk/
adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: modern Latin, from Greek pankreas, from pan 'all' + kreas 'flesh'

Spelling help

The ending of pancreas is spelled -eas.

pancreas in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pancreas in the US English dictionary

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