PANCREAS

pancreas

(noun) a large elongated exocrine gland located behind the stomach; secretes pancreatic juice and insulin

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

pancreas (plural pancreases or pancreata)

(anatomy) A gland near the stomach which secretes a fluid into the duodenum to help with food digestion. The fluid contains protease, carbohydrase and lipase, which breaks down larger molecules into smaller pieces. The pancreas also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar. These hormones are released into the cardiovascular system.

Synonyms

• gutbread

• stomach sweetbread

• belly sweetbread

Anagrams

• Pre-Canas

Source: Wiktionary


Pan"cre*as, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. pancréas.] (Anat.)

Definition: The sweetbread, a gland connected with the intestine of nearly all vertebrates. It is usually elongated and light-colored, and its secretion, called the pancreatic juice, is discharged, often together with the bile, into the upper part of the intestines, and is a powerful aid in digestion. See Illust. of Digestive apparatus.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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