pancreas: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 26, 2026

News •

Reprogramming tumor microenvironment could improve prospects for treatment of pancreatic cancer • Oct. 23, 2026, 7:40 PM ET (Medical Xpress)

Transplanted placental cells successfully detected in mouse pancreas after birth • Oct. 22, 2026, 4:24 PM ET (News-Medical)

Photos and Videos

An anatomical illustration of the human pancreas shows its location near the stomach and intestines, a detailed cross-section highlighting ducts and the islet of Langerhans, and an inset of pancreatic tissue histology with labeled alpha, beta, and delta cells.

Diagram showing a cross-section of a pancreatic islet of Langerhans on the left, with alpha, beta, and delta cells labeled by color, and on the right, arrows illustrating paracrine interactions among these cell types through hormones glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin.

Medical illustration showing the location and anatomy of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts within the human abdomen, with labeled structures including the liver, stomach, pancreas, pancreatic duct, common bile duct, cystic duct, hepatic ducts, duodenal papilla, large intestine, and small intestine.

Diagram of the human digestive system viewed from the front, showing and labeling organs including the mouth, teeth, tongue, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, liver, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine, appendix, rectum, and anus.

The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems.

How are different systems of the human body connected?

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Topics

pancreatic duct islets of Langerhans duct of Wirsung alpha cell beta cell delta cell duct of Santorini Vater’s ampulla diabetes mellitus pancreatic cancer ovary thyroid gland adrenal gland pituitary gland hypothalamus testis pineal gland thymus parathyroid gland liver

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Key People

Claude Bernard

Claude Bernard

French scientist

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Oskar Minkowski

German physiologist

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Joseph, Freiherr von Mering

German physician

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Sir William Maddock Bayliss

British physiologist

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Eugene Lindsay Opie

American pathologist

Reinier de Graaf, engraving by an unknown artist

Reinier de Graaf

Dutch physician

Superficial arteries and veins of face and scalp, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)

The Human Body

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Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

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Characteristics of the Human Body