| Pancreas |
Organ of the body located in the upper part of the abdomen behind the stomach close to the duodenum. It produces chemicals for food digestion and in the control of blood sugar. |
| Acute Pancreatitis |
Sudden and unexpected inflammation of the pancreas. Cases can range from mild to severe. Gallstone obstruction and alcohol are thought to be major causes. |
| Chronic Pancreatitis |
Inflammation of the pancreas organ that results in impairment of organ function usually through the formation of scar tissue. |
| Necrotizing Pancreatitis |
Severe pancreatitis condition where enzymes and toxins start to cause multi-organ failure |
| Hereditary pancreatitis |
Impairment of the pancreas which is transmitted from one generation to another. Usually appears in childhood. |
| Pseudocyst |
A collection of fibrous tissue containing pancreatic enzymes which causes inflammation of the pancreas organ often due to blockage of the pancreatic duct |
| Idiopathic pancreatitis |
Pancreatitis which has developed from causes that are unknown |
| Pancreatic enzymes |
Chemicals produced by the pancreas to assist with digestion. |
| Lipase |
Enzyme produced by the pancreas that plays major role in breaking down of fats |
| Amylase |
Enzyme that plays a major role in the break down of starches into glucose. |
| Pancreatic Cyst |
See pseudocyst above |
| Diabetes mellitus |
Condition characterized by high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. With the pancreas’ diminished capacity to produce insulin (which controls blood sugar levels) diabetes can sometimes be caused by pancreatitis. |
| Insulin |
Hormone produced by the pancreas that helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates and thereby controls blood sugar levels |
| Gall Bladder |
Small organ in the body used to store bile which is used to aid digestion. |
| Gallstones |
Crystalline bodies that can form in the gall bladder of bile duct |
| Bile duct |
Connects the gall bladder to the pancreatic duct. |
| Pancreatic duct |
A duct joining the pancreas to the common bile duct and on to the Gall Bladder |
| Steatorrhea |
Condition in which the stool (bowel movement) contains undigested fat. Steatorrhea can be a symptom of pancreatitis due to the pancreas’ decreased ability to aid in digestion. |
| Pancreatic Function Tests |
Tests to determine capacity of pancreas organ. Can be direct (invasive) such as the secretin stimulation test and indirect (non-invasive) such as the fecal fat test. |
| Secretin stimulation test |
Direct test of pancreatic function in which the hormone secretin is applied through a tube into the duodenum to stimulate the pancreas to produce enzymes. |
| Lundh Meal |
Direct test of pancreatic function in which a special meal is given via intubation. |
| Bentiromide (Chymex) Test |
Non-invasive test of pancreas function in which amino acid is applied orally. |
| Fecal Fat Test |
Non-invasive test of pancreas function in which the patient’s feces are tested for fat content. |
| Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) |
Widely accepted method of diagnosing chronic pancreatitis. A lighted tube is pushed into the duodenum and a liquid is injected into the pancreas. |
| Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) |
Less invasive imaging technique used to determine presence of blockage to pancreas function. |
| Computed Tomography (CT) Scan |
Imaging technique used to determine changes in size of pancreas and presence of any blockages. |
| Pancreatic Tissue Biopsy |
Laproscopic removal of small portion of pancreas tissue for testing |
| Endoscopic surgery |
Surgery where small incisions are made and an endoscope allows the surgeon to view images of the body’s internal structures. |
| Laproscopic surgery |
Form of endoscopic surgery applied to the abdominal area |
| Puestow Procedure |
Surgical procedure in which an artificial passage linking the pancreas to the jejunum is created. |
| Frey Procedure |
Surgical procedure similar to the Puestow except that part of the top of the pancreas is also removed. |
| Whipple Procedure |
Surgical procedure in which the pancreatic head is removed, along with portions of the bowels, gall bladder, bile duct, and stomach. |
| Distal Pancreatectomy |
Surgical procedure in which the body and tail of the pancreas is removed. |
| Dietary modification |
Changes made to the dietary or food intake of a person in order to control intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. |
| Enzyme Therapy |
The use of enzyme medications to improve the body’s chemical functions |
| Gastroenterologist. |
A physician who specializes in diseases and conditions of the digestive system |
|
Pancreatectomy |
Surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas, performed to excise a cyst or tumour, treat pancreatitis or repair trauma. The resection is done with general anaesthesia. |
|
Pancreatemphraxis |
Hypertrophy or congestion of the pancreas caused by an obstruction in the pancreatic duct. |
|
Pancreatic |
Pertaining to the pancreas |
|
Pancreatic abscess |
An infection characterised by a collection of pus in or around the pancreas |
|
Pancreatic cancer |
A malignant neoplastic disease of the pancreas, characterized by anorexia, flatulence, weakness, dramatic weight loss, back pain, jaundice, pruritis, a palpable abdominal mass, recent on-set of diabetes and clay-coloured stools if the pancreatic and bilary ducts are obstructed. Exploratory surgery is usually required for a definitive diagnosis. |
|
Pancreatic diabetes |
Diabetes mellitus caused by a deficiency of insulin production by the islet cells of the pancreas |
|
Pancreatic duct |
The primary secretory channel of the pancreas |
|
Pancreatic hormone |
Any one of several chemical compounds secreted by the pancreas, associated with the regulation of cellular metabolism. Major hormones secreted by the pancreas are insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. |
|
Pancreatic juice |
The fluid secretion of the pancreas produced in response to the stimulus of food in the duodenum. It contains water, protein, inorganic salts and enzymes. This juice is essential in breaking down proteins into their amino acid components, in reducing dietary fats to glycerol and fatty acids and in converting starch to simple sugars. |
|
Pancreaticoduodenectomy |
Surgical procedure in which the head of the pancreas, the entire duodenum, a portion of the jejunum, the distal third of the stomach and the lower third of the common bile duct are excised. Also called the Whipple procedure. |
|
Pancreaticoduodenostomy |
Surgical procedure to establish a fistula or duct from the pancreas into the duodenum. |
|
Pancreaticogastrostomy |
Surgical establishment of a fistula or duct from the pancreas to the stomach. |
|
Pancreaticojejunostomy |
Surgical establishment of a fistula or duct from the pancreas to the jejunum. |
|
Pancreaticolithotomy |
Surgical removal of pancreatic calculi. |
|
Pancreaticosplenic nodes |
Lymph nodes that follow along splenic blood vessels on the posterior and superior border of the pancreas. |
|
Pancreatin |
A concentrate of pancreatic enzymes from pigs or beef cattle. Is often prescribed as an aid to digestion to replace endogenous pancreatic enzymes in cystic fibrosis and after pancreatectomy. |
|
Pancreatogenic |
Originating in the pancreas |
|
Pancreatography |
Visualization of the pancreas or its ducts by radiography following injection of a contrast medium into the ducts at surgery or via an endoscope during ERCP or by ultrasonography or computed tomography. |
|
Pancreatolith |
A stone or calculus in the pancreas. |
|
Pancreatolithiasis |
Presence of calculi or stones in the pancreas or pancreatic duct. |
|
Pancreatolysis |
Destruction of the pancreas by pancreatic enzymes. |
|
Pancreatomegaly |
Abnormal enlargement of the pancreas. |
|
Pancreatopathy |
Any disease of the pancreas. |
|
Pancreatotomy |
Surgical incision in the pancreas. |
|
Pancreatropic |
Exerting an influence on the pancreas. |