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. The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e., it has both an endocrine and a digestive exocrine function. 99% of the pancreas is exocrine and 1% is endocrine. As an endocrine gland, it functions mostly to regulate blood sugar levels, secreting the hormones insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. As a part of the digestive system, it functions as an exocrine gland secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct. This juice contains bicarbonate, which neutralizes acid entering the duodenum from the stomach; and digestive enzymes, which break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food entering the duodenum from the stomach.

स्वादुपिंड किंवा अग्न्याशय हा पृष्ठवंशी प्राण्यांच्या पचनसंस्थेतील एक अवयव आहे. स्वादुपिंड ही एक संयुक्त ग्रंथी असून यातून पाचक विकरांचा विसर्ग होतो, तसेच इन्शुलिन, ग्लुकागॉन, VIP, सोमॅटोस्टॅटिन इत्यादी संप्रेरके स्रवतात. हे स्राव कर्बोदकांच्या (शर्करा) चयापचयामध्ये अत्यावश्यक असतात.