Definition of: pancreas

(pan′krē·əs, pang′-) noun Anat.
A gland connecting with the alimentary canal; in vertebrates, a large racemose gland behind the peritoneum, between the lower part of the stomach and the vertebrae of the loins, and emptying into the duodenum by one or more small ducts; the sweetbread. [<NL <Gk. pankreas sweetbread <pan, neut. of pas all + kreas flesh]
—pan′cre·at′ic (-at′ik) adjective