The pancreas is an organ in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach
and close to the spine, that produces substances (digestive enzymes) needed to
break down and use food. The pancreas also produces insulin, the hormone that
regulates sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Author
Monica Rhodes
Editor
Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor
Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer
Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
Last Updated
July 2, 2007
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
July 02, 2007
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