pancréas

pancreas

noun pahn-kreh-AHS Rare

Origin: Greek pankreas, 'all flesh'

Usage Note

Le pancréas is both an endocrine gland (producing insulin) and an exocrine gland (producing digestive enzymes), making it unique among abdominal organs. The adjective pancréatique describes anything relating to it, as in suc pancréatique (pancreatic juice). Diseases such as pancréatite (pancreatitis) are relatively common topics in medical French.

Examples

"Le pancréas régule la glycémie."

Natural Translation

The pancreas regulates blood sugar.

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