Pancreas

The pancreas (plural pancreases, or pancreata) is an <a href="/facts/Organ_(anatomy)/FUYsLaxz">organ</a> of the <a href="/facts/Digestion/sjUBmhBS">digestive system</a> and <a href="/facts/Endocrine_system/PDvN5cpj">endocrine system</a> of <a href="/facts/Vertebrate/tT54FSTT">vertebrates</a>. In humans, it is located in the <a href="/facts/Abdominal_cavity/S2XdDfFv">abdomen</a> behind the <a href="/facts/Stomach/Q4PPDGT6">stomach</a> and functions as a <a href="/facts/Gland/gfq2of7k">gland</a>. The pancreas is a mixed or <a href="/facts/Heterocrine_gland/zNcjoJ03">heterocrine gland</a>, i.e., it has both an <a href="/facts/Endocrine/PDvN5cpj">endocrine</a> and a digestive <a href="/facts/Exocrine/svLWvb83">exocrine</a> function. 99% of the pancreas is exocrine and 1% is endocrine. As an <a href="/facts/Endocrine_gland/J6w67lns">endocrine gland</a>, it functions mostly to regulate <a href="/facts/Blood_sugar_level/I4SkNzrm">blood sugar levels</a>, secreting the <a href="/facts/Hormone/WFnBnINJ">hormones</a> <a href="/facts/Insulin/oXG0myt1">insulin</a>, <a href="/facts/Glucagon/NVEnH03n">glucagon</a>, <a href="/facts/Somatostatin/GAD2utoz">somatostatin</a> and <a href="/facts/Pancreatic_polypeptide/1TchSQ4R">pancreatic polypeptide</a>. As a part of the digestive system, it functions as an <a href="/facts/Exocrine_gland/svLWvb83">exocrine gland</a> secreting <a href="/facts/Pancreatic_juice/5jv4xKT6">pancreatic juice</a> into the <a href="/facts/Duodenum/IAIgHBmq">duodenum</a> through the <a href="/facts/Pancreatic_duct/tLKRDmSE">pancreatic duct</a>. This juice contains <a href="/facts/Bicarbonate/zzSVVAl1">bicarbonate</a>, which neutralizes <a href="/facts/Acid/FySU18n1">acid</a> entering the duodenum from the stomach; and <a href="/facts/Digestive_enzyme/aRYCbJHe">digestive enzymes</a>, which break down <a href="/facts/Carbohydrates/Geuuzxsf">carbohydrates</a>, <a href="/facts/Protein/Jxmagu3E">proteins</a> and <a href="/facts/Lipids/TdQR87HX">fats</a> in food entering the duodenum from the stomach.
Inflammation of the pancreas is known as <a href="/facts/Pancreatitis/gmbNTcCG">pancreatitis</a>, with common causes including chronic <a href="/facts/Alcohol_(drug)/IeK2fVd5">alcohol</a> use and <a href="/facts/Gallstone/9bIB9MYT">gallstones</a>. Because of its role in the regulation of blood sugar, the pancreas is also a key organ in <a href="/facts/Diabetes/2xeHXbsI">diabetes</a>. <a href="/facts/Pancreatic_cancer/6h9GIInW">Pancreatic cancer</a> can arise following <a href="/facts/Chronic_pancreatitis/r724VCAo">chronic pancreatitis</a> or due to other reasons, and carries a very poor prognosis, as it is often only identified after it has spread to other areas of the body.
The word pancreas comes from the <a href="/facts/Greek_language/pzDd6eIz">Greek</a> πᾶν (pân, "all") & κρέας (kréas, "flesh"). The function of the pancreas in diabetes has been known since at least 1889, with its role in insulin production identified in 1921.

Pancreas open-in-new

Pancreas