duodenum

noun

du·​o·​de·​num ˌdü-ə-ˈdē-nəm  du̇-ˈä-də-nəm 

 also  (ˌ)dyü-

plural duodena ˌdü-ə-ˈdē-nə 

du̇-ˈä-də-nə

or duodenums

: the first part of the small intestine extending from the pylorus to the jejunum

duodenal

ˌdü-ə-ˈdē-nᵊl  du̇-ˈä-də-nəl 

adjective

Examples of duodenum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your healthcare provider will insert an endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera—through the mouth and throat, passing it through the stomach into the duodenum (the top part of the small intestine). —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Nov. 2024

Peptic Ulcer Disease Peptic ulcer disease is a condition in which open sores develop in the lining of the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). —Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2024

Sometimes, the surgeon may insert a stent from the gallbladder to the first part of the intestine (duodenum). —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2024

Next, the second part of the small intestine, the jejunum, is surgically separated from the first section (the duodenum) and the last section (the ileum). —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin duodeni twelve each, from duodecim twelve; from its length, about 12 fingers' breadth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

duodenum

noun

du·​o·​de·​num ˌd(y)ü-ə-ˈdē-nəm  d(y)u̇-ˈäd-ᵊn-əm 

plural duodena -ˈdē-nə 

-ᵊn-ə

or duodenums

: the first part of the small intestine extending from the opening from the stomach into the small intestine to the jejunum

duodenal

-ˈdēn-ᵊl  -ᵊn-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

duodenum

noun

du·​o·​de·​num ˌd(y)ü-ə-ˈdē-nəm  d(y)u̇-ˈäd-ᵊn-əm 

plural duodena -ˈdē-nə, -ᵊn-ə  or duodenums

: the first, shortest, and widest part of the small intestine that in humans is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long and that extends from the pylorus to the undersurface of the liver where it descends for a variable distance and receives the bile and pancreatic ducts and then bends to the left and finally upward to join the jejunum near the second lumbar vertebra

duodenal

-ˈdēn-ᵊl  -ᵊn-əl 

adjective