[alt def] A nodular organ in the abdomen that contains a mixture of endocrine glands and exocrine glands. The small endocrine portion consists of the islets of langerhans secreting a number of hormones into the blood stream. The large exocrine portion (exocrine pancreas) is a compound acinar gland that secretes several digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ductal system that empties into the duodenum. [MeSH]