Pancreas
/ˈpæŋ.kri.əs/noun
A gland behind the stomach that helps digest food and regulate blood sugar.
Did you know?The term was first used by Greek anatomist Herophilos, who named the organ for its soft, flesh-like texture, and the word entered English through Latin medical tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πάγκρεας (pánkreas)
“a fleshy organ; literally “all flesh””
Late Greek
Greek
παγκρέας
“the pancreas, the gland behind the stomach”
Latin
Latin
pancreas
“the pancreas”
16th Century
English
pancreas
“the gland behind the stomach”
Modern English
English
pancreas
“a gland that secretes digestive enzymes and hormones”