The pancreas is a long. tapered gland which lies across and behind the stomach. The "head" (the right-hand end which is the broadest part of it) lies within the curve of the duodenum. This gland secretes digestive juices which break down fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids; it also secretes bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid as it enters the duodenum. 

Some cells in the pancreas secrete hormones which regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Most of the pancreas consists of tissues which are embedded in "nested" cells. These cells secrete the digestive enzymes into tubes which meet to form the main duct. 

This duct joins the "cystic" duct (which carries bile from the gallbladder) and forms a small chamber which opens into the duodenum. The cells of the pancreas are surrounded by many blood vessels into which they secrete hormones (glucagon and insulin) into the blood. Insulin regulates the use of glucose into all the body tissues except the brain. 

If the pancreas fails to produce insulin or secretes it in low quantities, the result is a serious disease called diabetes mellitus. The Greek name "pancreas", meaning "all flesh" or "all meat", is descriptive of the protein composition of this powerful organ which resembles a fish with a large head and a long tail. 

Inside, the organ's appearance resembles a stalk with clusters of grapes attached to it. The "stalk" is a long duct which runs down the center of the pancreas and the "grapes" are clusters of cells which flow into this duct and later into the duodenum for digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. If the ducts leading from the pancreas are blocked in some way, the digestive fluids build up in the pancreas and may then become activated so that they digest the pancreas itself! This condition is known as acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis of all the types of cancer. This is probably because of the spongy, vascular nature of this organ and its vital endocrine and exocrine functions. Pancreatic surgery is a problem because of the soft, spongy, tissue it consists of that make it extremely difficult to suture. By the way, Webster's Dictionary says the "pancratium" was an ancient Greek athletic contest involving boxing and wrestling. Isn't that interesting?