Definition

Noun: A clear, alkaline digestive fluid secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine. It contains enzymes that are essential for the breakdown of starches, proteins, and fats in food.

Usage

Pancreatic juice is a biological term used specifically to refer to the secretion of the exocrine pancreas. It is a key component of the digestive process. - The pancreas produces pancreatic juice. - Pancreatic juice neutralizes stomach acid in the duodenum. - Enzymes in pancreatic juice help digest carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Examples

• The secretion of pancreatic juice is stimulated by the hormones secretin and cholecystokinin.
• A blockage in the pancreatic duct can prevent pancreatic juice from reaching the intestine.
• The laboratory analyzed the enzyme content of the pancreatic juice.

Advanced Usage

• Pancreatic juice secretion: The process by which the pancreas produces and releases this fluid.
  • Hormonal signals regulate pancreatic juice secretion.

Variants and Related Words

• Pancreatic: (Adjective) Relating to the pancreas.
  • Pancreatic enzymes are active in the small intestine.
• Pancreatin: (Noun) A mixture of pancreatic enzymes extracted from animal pancreases, used as a digestive aid.
• Chyme: (Noun) The semi-fluid mass of partly digested food that enters the duodenum from the stomach, where it mixes with pancreatic juice.

Synonyms

• Pancreatic secretion: A more general term that can refer to pancreatic juice.
• Digestive fluid / secretion: A broader category that includes pancreatic juice, gastric juice, bile, and intestinal secretions.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Exocrine function of the pancreas: The pancreas's role in producing pancreatic juice.
  • The exocrine function of the pancreas is vital for digestion.
• Pancreatic duct: The duct that carries pancreatic juice from the pancreas to the duodenum.
  • The pancreatic duct merges with the common bile duct.

Noun

1. a fluid secreted into the duodenum by the pancreas; important for breaking down starches and proteins and fats