The pancreas is an organ in your body that does two important jobs. First, it makes digestive juices that help break down the food you eat, especially fats and proteins. These juices flow into your small intestine through a small tube. Second, it produces a hormone called insulin that controls how much sugar is in your blood. After you eat something sweet or starchy, your pancreas releases insulin to help your cells use that sugar for energy.

The pancreas sits behind your stomach, tucked away where you can't feel it. It's about six inches long and shaped somewhat like a fish lying on its side. Even though you never think about it, your pancreas works constantly to keep your digestion running smoothly and your blood sugar balanced.

When someone has diabetes, their pancreas either doesn't make enough insulin or their body can't use insulin properly. That's why people with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar carefully and sometimes take insulin as medicine. The pancreas is one of those organs that quietly does essential work, and you only really notice it when something goes wrong.