PANCREAS

Pancreas

[NA]. An elongated lobulated retro peritoneal 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 the its endocrine part the internal secretions, insulin and glucagon.

Origin

[G. pankreas, the sweetbread, fr. pas (pan), all, + kreas, flesh]