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Cancer of the Pancreas

  • Posted: 07/14/2010

The Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ that is about 6 inches long. It’s located deep in your belly between your stomach and backbone. Your liver, intestine, and other organs surround your pancreas.

This picture shows the pancreas and nearby organs.
This picture shows the pancreas and nearby organs.

This picture shows the head, body, and tail of the pancreas.
This picture shows the head, body, and tail of the pancreas.

The widest part of the pancreas is called the head. The head of the pancreas is closest to the small intestine. The middle section is called the body, and the thinnest part is called the tail.

The pancreas makes pancreatic juices. These juices contain enzymes that help break down food. The juices flow through a system of ducts leading to the main pancreatic duct. The pancreatic juices flow through the main duct to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

The pancreas is also a gland that makes insulin and other hormones. These hormones enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They help the body use or store the energy that comes from food. For example, insulin helps control the amount of sugar in the blood.



Glossary Terms

duodenum (DOO-ah-DEE-num)
The first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach.
enzyme (EN-zime)
A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.
gland (gland)
An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk. Endocrine glands release the substances directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands release the substances into a duct or opening to the inside or outside of the body.
insulin (IN-suh-lin)
A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood by moving it into the cells, where it can be used by the body for energy.
intestine (in-TES-tin)
The long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. The intestine has two parts, the small intestine and the large intestine. Also called bowel.
liver (LIH-ver)
A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.
organ (OR-gun)
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.
pancreatic duct (PAN-kree-A-tik dukt)
Part of a system of ducts in the pancreas. Pancreatic juices containing enzymes are released into these ducts and flow into the small intestine.
small intestine (... in-TES-tin)
The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.