Pancreas
An abdominal organ producing digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
What it means
The pancreas lies behind the stomach and performs two entirely separate functions.
- Exocrine — producing enzymes that digest fat, protein and starch, released into the small intestine
- Endocrine — producing insulin and glucagon, released into the bloodstream to regulate blood glucose
Loss of insulin-producing cells causes type 1 diabetes; resistance to insulin's action underlies type 2 diabetes. Loss of enzyme production causes pancreatic insufficiency, with pale, greasy, offensive stools and weight loss.
In practice
Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas — most commonly follows gallstones or alcohol excess, and presents with severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back.
Amylase and lipase are the blood tests used to diagnose it.
Why it matters
Severe upper abdominal pain boring through to the back, with vomiting, requires emergency assessment. Acute pancreatitis can be life-threatening.
Pancreatic cancer is notable for presenting late, and painless jaundice with weight loss in an older adult warrants urgent investigation.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Mohammad Zubair Khan, GMC 7563469
Last reviewed
August 30, 2026