Spleen vs. Pancreas — What's the Difference?

Acts as a blood filter.

Regulates blood sugar.

Supports immune function.

Produces digestive enzymes.

Stores platelets.

Can develop diabetes if dysfunctional.

Vulnerable to physical injury.

Associated with severe conditions like cancer.

Responds to certain infections.

Has both endocrine and exocrine functions.

The spleen is an organ found in all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter.

The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland.

A large, highly vascular lymphoid organ, located in the human body to the left of the stomach below the diaphragm, that serves as a reservoir for blood, destroys old red blood cells, and contains lymphocytes that combat blood-borne antigens.

A long, irregularly shaped gland in vertebrates, lying behind the stomach, that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum and insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin into the bloodstream.

A homologous organ or tissue in other vertebrates.

(anatomy) A gland near the stomach which secretes a fluid into the duodenum to help with food digestion. The fluid contains protease, carbohydrase and lipase, which breaks down larger molecules into smaller pieces. The pancreas also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar. These hormones are released into the cardiovascular system.

(Obsolete) This organ conceived as the seat of emotions or passions.

The sweetbread, a gland connected with the intestine of nearly all vertebrates. It is usually elongated and light-colored, and its secretion, called the pancreatic juice, is discharged, often together with the bile, into the upper part of the intestines, and is a powerful aid in digestion. See Illust. of Digestive apparatus.

Ill temper

A large elongated exocrine gland located behind the stomach; secretes pancreatic juice and insulin

(Archaic) Melancholy.

(Obsolete) A whim; a caprice.

In vertebrates, including humans, a ductless vascular gland, located in the left upper abdomen near the stomach, which destroys old red blood cells, removes debris from the bloodstream, acts as a reservoir of blood, and produces lymphocytes.

A bad mood; spitefulness.

A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim.

(obsolete) Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections.

A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment.

To dislike.

To annoy or irritate.

(ambitransitive) To complain; to rail; to vent one's spleen.

To remove the spleen, or, by extension, to gore.

To excise or remove.

A peculiar glandlike but ductless organ found near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and connected with the vascular system; the milt. Its exact function in not known.

Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as, to vent one's spleen.

A fit of anger; choler.

A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim.

Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections.

A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment.

To dislke.

A large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses

A feeling of resentful anger

The spleen primarily filters the blood and helps the immune system by removing old blood cells and storing white blood cells and platelets.

Common pancreatic diseases include pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes.

The spleen stores white blood cells which play a crucial role in fighting infection.

The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon, which are vital for glucose metabolism.

The spleen is located in the upper left part of the abdomen near the stomach, while the pancreas lies behind the stomach extending toward the left side of the abdomen.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which can be acute or chronic and significantly affects digestive and hormonal functions.

Yes, people can live without a spleen with certain medical precautions; living without a pancreas requires lifelong management of digestive and endocrine functions.

Diseases of these organs can severely impact health, affecting immune response and metabolic stability respectively.

The spleen often enlarges in response to infections such as mononucleosis, indicating an active immune response.

Removal of the spleen requires lifetime precautions against infections due to reduced immune function.

Preventive care includes vaccinations and careful monitoring of activities to avoid injury to the abdomen, especially in sports or physical activities.

Its dual role in both the digestive and endocrine systems, impacting digestion and glucose regulation, makes it unique.

Surgical interventions for spleen issues typically involve removal in cases of rupture, whereas pancreatic surgery can involve complex procedures like the Whipple procedure for cancer.

Pancreatic functions, particularly insulin production, can be medically managed with insulin injections and enzyme supplements.

No, the pancreas is generally larger and extends across a greater portion of the abdomen than the spleen.