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Pancreas

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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