Digestive system
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach with two jobs: it makes digestive enzymes that break down food, and it makes hormones including insulin that control blood sugar.
What it is
The pancreas is a long, tapering gland tucked behind the stomach. It is both a digestive gland and a hormone gland.
Where it is
Behind the stomach, across the upper abdomen.
What it does
Produces enzymes that digest food in the small intestine, and produces hormones (including insulin and glucagon) that regulate blood sugar.
How it works
Most of the pancreas makes digestive enzymes that flow through a duct into the small intestine. Scattered clusters of cells (the islets) release insulin and glucagon straight into the blood to keep blood sugar balanced.
When things go wrong
Common conditions affecting the pancreas
- Diabetes (when insulin production or action fails)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation)
- Pancreatic cancer
Education and reference only. This explains the anatomy in plain terms and is not a diagnosis. Sudden severe symptoms — such as severe chest pain, breathlessness or collapse — are an emergency; call 999.
Looking after it
Keeping your pancreas healthy
Keeping alcohol within limits, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing gallstones (which can trigger pancreatitis) all help.
Did you know?
An interesting fact
The pancreas is one of the few organs with two completely different roles — digestion and hormone control — in one gland.
Answers
Pancreas: frequently asked questions
What does the pancreas do?
The pancreas makes enzymes that digest food and hormones such as insulin that control blood sugar.
What is the link between the pancreas and diabetes?
Diabetes develops when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin, or the body cannot use it properly, so blood sugar rises.
The digestive system
Related organs
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Anatomy and body systems
- Gray's Anatomy for Students
- TeachMeAnatomy / TeachMePhysiology
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