Pancreas: meaning, definitions and examples

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pancreas

 

[ ˈpæŋkriəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

anatomy organ

The pancreas is a glandular organ located in the abdomen. It plays a crucial role in digestion by producing digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. The pancreas also helps in the digestion of food by secreting these enzymes into the small intestine.

Examples of usage

  • The pancreas produces insulin needed to regulate blood sugar.
  • An inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis.
  • Doctors often check pancreatic function in patients with diabetes.

Translations

Translations of the word "pancreas" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pâncreas

🇮🇳 अग्न्याशय

🇩🇪 Bauchspeicheldrüse

🇮🇩 pankreas

🇺🇦 підшлункова залоза

🇵🇱 trzustka

🇯🇵 膵臓 (すいぞう)

🇫🇷 pancréas

🇪🇸 páncreas

🇹🇷 pankreas

🇰🇷 췌장 (췌장)

🇸🇦 البنكرياس

🇨🇿 pankreas

🇸🇰 pankreas

🇨🇳 胰腺 (yíxiàn)

🇸🇮 pankreas

🇮🇸 brisgirtill

🇰🇿 ұйқы безі

🇬🇪 რბილა

🇦🇿 mədədə

🇲🇽 páncreas

Etymology

The word 'pancreas' comes from the Latin word 'pancreas', which originates from the Greek 'pankreas' (παγκρέας). In Greek, 'pan' (πᾶν) means 'all' or 'entire', and 'kreas' (κρέας) means 'flesh' or 'meat', which describes the pancreas as the 'all-meat' organ. Historically, the term was used by physicians in ancient times when the function of this organ was not completely understood. The pancreas was recognized for its unique texture and function within the digestive system. Over time, the importance of the pancreas in regulating blood sugar levels through insulin production was discovered, leading to a deeper understanding of its role in diseases such as diabetes. The study of the pancreas has evolved through centuries, significantly impacting the field of medicine and our understanding of human biology.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,192, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.