Pancreatic Disorders Dictionary

gallstones: Crystals or deposits that form in the gallbladder or in the ducts that drain the gallbladder.

gland: An organ that makes a product that is released either inside or outside the body. Such products include hormones, sweat, digestive enzymes and saliva.

glucagon: A hormone that helps regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. The pancreas produces more glucagon when blood sugar levels are low, which causes the liver to convert glycogen (an energy storage molecule) into glucose (sugar).

glucose: The type of sugar released into the blood to supply energy to the cells of the body.

heredity: The passing of traits from parents to their offspring. Heredity is one factor that determines a person's predisposition to diseases such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis (CF).

hormones: Chemical signals produced by glands in the body that act slowly, changing the internal functions and processes of the body.

hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating, often a symptom of cystic fibrosis. Sometimes misspelled as hyperhydrosis.

hypoxia: An insufficient supply of oxygen in the body in general. This can be a symptom of acute pancreatitis.

insulin: A hormone that helps regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. The pancreas produces more insulin when blood sugar levels are high, resulting in cells taking up more glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and storing it in the form of glycogen.

islet cells: The cells in the pancreas that produce hormones.