Pancreas and Spleen in 3D: Insulin, Digestion and Blood Filtering
The pancreas and spleen sit close together in the upper left of the belly. The pancreas makes digestive juices and the hormones that control blood sugar, while the spleen filters the blood. In the 3D Anatomy simulator you can open them together and tap each part.
Explore in 3DPancreas and Spleen quick facts
| Pancreas | Behind the stomach, about 15 cm long |
|---|---|
| Pancreas hormones | Insulin and glucagon |
| Pancreas juices | Enzymes that digest food |
| Spleen | Upper left of the belly, under the ribs |
| Spleen job | Filters blood and helps fight infection |
Interesting facts about the pancreas and spleen
- Insulin from the pancreas lets cells take in sugar from the blood.
- Glucagon does the opposite, raising blood sugar when it drops.
- Pancreatic juice flows into the small intestine to break down fat, protein and carbohydrates.
- The spleen removes old and damaged red blood cells.
- People can live without a spleen, though they become more prone to some infections.
What you can do in 3D
Open the pancreas and spleen to see them side by side, turn them to see how they sit behind the stomach, and tap each part.
More organs in 3D
Tap any part to open its page.
Pancreas and Spleen questions
What does the pancreas do?
It makes digestive enzymes that break down food, and hormones like insulin and glucagon that control blood sugar.
What is insulin?
A hormone made by the pancreas that helps cells take sugar out of the blood to use for energy.
Where is the pancreas?
Behind the stomach in the upper belly, stretching across towards the spleen.
What does the spleen do?
It filters the blood, removes old red blood cells and helps the body fight infection.
Can you live without a spleen?
Yes. Other organs take over most of its work, although the risk of some infections goes up.
The 3D Anatomy simulator is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. This page is for learning and is not medical advice.