- pancreas
- An elongated lobulated retroperitoneal gland, devoid of capsule, extending from the concavity of the duodenum to the spleen; it consists of a flattened head (caput) within the duodenal concavity, an elongated three-sided body extending transversely across the abdomen, and a tail in contact with the spleen. The gland secretes from its exocrine part pancreatic juice that is discharged into the intestine, and from its endocrine part the internal secretions insulin and glucagon. [G. pankreas, the sweetbread, fr. pas (pan), all, + kreas, flesh]- p. accessorium [TA] SYN: accessory p..- accessory p. [TA] a detached portion of pancreatic tissue, usually the uncinate process, and hence most often found in the vicinity of the head of the p., but may occur within the gut wall (stomach or duodenum). SYN: p. accessorium [TA].- anular p. a ring of p. encircling the duodenum, caused by a failure of the embryologic ventral p. to migrate to the right of the duodenum.- Aselli p. SYN: Aselli gland.- p. divisum a bifid, or divided, p. resulting from a congenital failure of the embryonic primordia to unite completely; each of the portions has its own duct.- dorsal p. that portion of the pancreatic primordium of the embryo that arises as a dorsal bud from the foregut endoderm above the hepatic diverticulum.- lesser p. SYN: uncinate process of p..- p. minus SYN: uncinate process of p..- small p. SYN: uncinate process of p..- ventral p. that portion of the primordium of the p. that develops, together with the hepatic diverticulum, as a ventral bud from the foregut endoderm.
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pan·cre·as 'paŋ-krē-əs, 'pan- n, pl -cre·as·es also -cre·ata pan-'krē-ət-ə 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* * *
n.a compound gland, about 15 cm long, that lies behind the stomach. One end lies in the curve of the duodenum; the other end touches the spleen. It is composed of clusters (acini) of cells that secrete pancreatic juice. This contains a number of enzymes concerned in digestion. The juice drains into small ducts that open into the pancreatic duct. This unites with the common bile duct and the secretions pass into the duodenum. Interspersed among the acini are the islets of Langerhans - isolated groups of cells that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.* * *
pan·cre·as (panґkre-əs) gen. pancreґatis, pl. pancreґata [L., from Gr. pankreas, from pan all + kreas flesh] [TA] a large, elongated, racemose gland situated transversely behind the stomach, between the spleen and the duodenum. Its right extremity or head (TA, caput pancreatis) is larger and directed downward; its left extremity or tail (TA, cauda pancreatis) is transverse and terminates close to the spleen. It is subdivided into lobules by septa that extend into the gland from the thin, areolar tissue that forms an indefinite capsule. The endocrine part (endocrine pancreas) consists of the islets of Langerhans, which contain beta cells that produce insulin, alpha cells that produce glucagon, and delta cells that produce somatostatin; all three of these hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream. Some islets contain PP cells that secrete pancreatic polypeptide. The exocrine part (exocrine pancreas) consists of pancreatic acini, secretory units that produce and secrete into the duodenum pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes essential to protein digestion. pancreatic adj
Pancreas.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
