US Medical Term · anatomy
Pancreas
Páncreas
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Pancreas |
| Spanish (Español) | Páncreas |
| Chinese (中文) | 胰臟 |
| Korean (한국어) | 췌장 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Tuyến tụy |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pancreas |
| Portuguese (Português) | Pâncreas |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ตับอ่อน |
| Japanese (日本語) | 膵臓 |
What it means
The pancreas is a long, flat gland about six inches long that sits deep in the abdomen behind the stomach. It has two main jobs. As an exocrine gland, it produces digestive enzymes — powerful chemicals that flow into the small intestine through the pancreatic duct to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. As an endocrine gland, it produces hormones directly into the bloodstream — most importantly insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas either cannot make enough insulin or the body cannot use it properly. Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas — can be caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol use and causes severe abdominal pain.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because my pancreas is not making enough insulin.
Me diagnosticaron diabetes tipo 2 porque mi páncreas no produce suficiente insulina.
I have severe pain in the upper abdomen that goes to my back — they think it may be pancreatitis.
Tengo un dolor intenso en la parte superior del abdomen que irradia hacia la espalda. Creen que puede ser pancreatitis.
The CT scan showed a mass in the head of my pancreas that needs further evaluation.
La tomografía mostró una masa en la cabeza del páncreas que necesita más evaluación.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026