PANCREAS (front the Gr. pan, all, and lavas, flesh) is a conglomerate gland, lying transversely across the posterior wall of the abdomen, varying in length from six to eight in., having a breadth of about an inch and a half, and a thickness of from half an inch to an inch. Its usual weight is about three ounces. The head of the pancreas lies in the concavity of the duodenum.
The secretion of this gland, or the pancreatic fluid, is conveyed from its various parts by Means of the pancreatic duct to the duodenum. This gland is found in all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and osseous fishes, and in some cartilaginous fishes.
The physical and chemical characters of the pancreatic fluid, and its uses in the animal economy, are sufficiently noticed in the article DIGESTION.
The diseases of the pancreas arc few, and do not signify their existence by any very marked symptoms. The presence of undigested fat in the stools has been frequently observed in cases in which after (lentil the pancreas has been found to be diseased; and if Bernard's views regarding the saponifying power'of the pancreatic juice on fatty mat ters (described in the article already referred to) be correct, the reason why the fat should appear in the evacuations in these cases is sufficiently obvious. The most common form
of disease is cancerous deposit in the head of the gland, which frequently induces jaun dice by obstructing the common biliary duct near its opening. An accurate diagnosis of disease of this organ is extremely difficult, but fortunately is of comparatively little importance, as it cannot lead to efficient treatment; all that can be clone in these cases being to palliate the most distressing symptoms.
The pancreas of ruminating animals is a favorite article of food under the name of sweetbread. That of the calf is most highly esteemed, but that of the lamb is often sub stituted for it. Dr. Edward Smith questions whether the very high price ofttar paid for calf's sweetbread is warranted by its nutritive qualities, or even by its flavor; although he allows that the flavor is perhaps the most delicate of any meat we are acquainted with. It is either boiled or fried. The thyroid and sublingual glands arc also used as sweet bread.