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The Pancreas

What is the pancreas and what is its function?

The pancreas is a gland that lies towards the back of the upper part of the abdomen. It is shaped like a club, and is described as having a head, neck, body and tail.

The pancreas and the organs around it
The pancreas and the organs around it

The digestive juice made by the pancreas flows through a small tube (or duct) within the gland, and empties into the part of the bowel called duodenum, at the same point where the bile duct empties into the bowel.

This is where the pancreas is situated
This is where the pancreas is situated

The pancreas does two things:

  • It makes a digestive juice, rich in enzymes, which is useful in digesting fatty foods
  • It makes insulin, which controls the blood sugar