duodenum

[ doo-uh-dee-nuhm, dyoo-; doo-od-n-uhm, dyoo- ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.

, plural du·o·de·na [doo-, uh, -, dee, -n, uh, dyoo-, doo-, od, -n-, uh, dyoo-], du·o·de·nums.

1. the first portion of the small intestine, from the stomach to the jejunum.

duodenum

/ ˌdjuːəʊˈdiːnəm /

noun

1. the first part of the small intestine, between the stomach and the jejunum

duodenum

/ do̅o̅′ə-dē′nəm,do̅o̅-ŏd′n-əm /

, Plural duodena

1. The beginning part of the small intestine, starting at the lower end of the stomach and extending to the jejunum.

duodenum

1. The first part of the small intestine , located just below the stomach . ( See digestive system .)

Derived Forms

• ˌduoˈdenal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of duodenum¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin, by ellipsis from intestīnum duodēnum digitōrum intestine of twelve fingerbreadths, with original genitive plural construed as neuter singular; Latin duodēnī twelve each (here lacking distributive sense)

Word History and Origins

Origin of duodenum¹

C14: from Medieval Latin, shortened from intestinum duodenum digitorum intestine of twelve fingers' length, from Latin duodēnī twelve each

Example Sentences

But in 2022, Alberto became unwell and tests showed he had a rare cancerous tumour growing on his duodenum, which is at the top of the small intestine.

From BBC

In 1994 he performed the world’s first six-organ transplant, replacing a patient’s stomach, small intestine, duodenum, pancreas, liver and kidney in a single operation.

From New York Times

The other substance, called intrinsic factor, mixes with the stomach's contents and travels with them into the first part of the small intestine — the duodenum.

From Salon

In 1996, he received a five-organ transplant at the University of Pittsburgh that replaced his stomach, duodenum, pancreas, intestine and liver after suffering intestinal failure due to a hereditary defect.

From Seattle Times

The tube is inserted through the patient’s mouth and stomach, then into the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

From New York Times

Related Words

• belly
• innards