Stomach vs pancreas: how they differ, in 3D
The stomach is a pouch in the upper left of the abdomen, below the diaphragm, between the oesophagus and the duodenum, while the pancreas is a long organ lying crosswise just behind it against the back wall of the abdomen, so from the front it is mostly hidden by the stomach. The stomach mixes food with gastric juice, and the pancreas sends pancreatic juice full of enzymes into the duodenum and releases hormones such as insulin and glucagon.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the pancreas in relation to the stomach?
Behind it. The pancreas lies crosswise against the back wall of the abdomen, at about the level of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, with the stomach in front of it.
How is gastric juice different from pancreatic juice?
Gastric juice is strongly acidic, with hydrochloric acid and pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down protein. Pancreatic juice contains bicarbonate, which neutralises the acid arriving from the stomach, and enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Where does food from the stomach meet pancreatic juice?
In the duodenum. Food leaves the stomach through the pylorus into the duodenum, where pancreatic juice and bile are mixed in.
The organs compared
Parts to look at
Other organ comparisons
- Small intestine vs large intestine
- Liver vs pancreas
- Liver vs spleen
- Heart vs lungs
- Stomach vs small intestine
More comparisons
Read more
- The human skeleton in 3D
- BAHI BODY 3D human body
- Chronic Disease Is Systemic Breakdown: chapter summaries
- Blog
Related reading
- Coffee on an empty stomach after a broken night: what a study found about blood sugar
- Ultra-processed food and the gut microbiome: what the research shows, and what it doesn’t
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