1. A combined digestive gland in crustaceans and mollusks that functions as both liver and pancreas.
Usage: zoology; anatomy; technical

Examples

• The hepatopancreas of the lobster secretes digestive enzymes into the stomach.
• In crustaceans, the hepatopancreas performs functions equivalent to both the liver and pancreas of vertebrates.
• The hepatopancreas is a key organ for nutrient absorption in shrimp and other shellfish.
• Researchers studied the hepatopancreas to understand how crustaceans metabolize food.
• The hepatopancreas contains cells that produce both digestive enzymes and storage compounds.