Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

pancreas, annular
An abnormal ring of pancre-
atic tissue that encircles the duodenum and often
causes intestinal obstruction.
pancreatectomy
A surgical procedure in which
part or all of the pancreas is removed.
pancreatic
Having to do with the pancreas.
pancreatic alpha cell
See 
alpha cell, pancreatic.
pancreatic beta cell
See 
beta cell, pancreatic.
pancreatic cancer
See 
cancer, pancreatic.
pancreatic delta cell
See 
delta cell, pancreatic.
pancreatic insufficiency
Having not enough of
the digestive enzymes that are normally secreted by
the pancreas into the intestine. Pancreatic insuffi-
ciency is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis. See also 
cys-
tic fibrosis.
pancreatic juice
Fluids made by the pancreas
that contain digestive enzymes.
pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas. Of
the many causes of pancreatitis, the most common
are alcohol consumption and gallstones. Other
causes include medications (azathioprine, estro-
gen, thiazides, metronidazole, valproic acid, and
tetracycline), trauma, abdominal surgery, abnor-
malities of the pancreas and intestine, and infec-
tions such as mumps. Acute pancreatitis usually
begins with pain in the upper abdomen that may last
for a few days. The pain may be sudden and intense,
or it may begin as a mild pain that is aggravated by
eating and slowly grows worse. The abdomen may
be very tender. Other symptoms may include nau-
sea, vomiting, and fever. The patient often feels and
looks very sick. Chronic pancreatitis usually follows
many years of alcohol abuse and may cause pain;
malabsorption of food, leading to weight loss; and
diabetes, if the insulin-producing cells of the pan-
creas (islet cells) are damaged.
pancytopenia
A shortage of all types of blood
cells. Pancytopenia can be caused by a side effect of
many medications (such as azathioprine, methotrex-
ate, and others) or diseases (such as lupus and bone
marrow disorders). Treatment is directed toward
the underlying cause and may be supplemented by
medications that stimulate the bone marrow.