Pancreatitis
/ˌpæŋ.kri.əˈtaɪ.tɪs/noun
Inflammation of the pancreas.
Did you know?The root pancrea- comes from Greek pankreas, “all-fleshy,” a name ancient anatomists gave the organ because it looked soft and entirely meaty, not because of anything mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πάγκρεας (pánkreas)
““All-fleshy,” a descriptive name for the organ”
Late Latin
Latin
pancreas
“The pancreas, borrowed from Greek anatomical terminology”
17th Century
English
pancreas
“The gland behind the stomach”
19th Century
English
-itis
“A medical suffix meaning inflammation”
19th Century
English
pancreatitis
“Inflammation of the pancreas”
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