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

Ulcers Peptic ulcers are sores in the stomach and duodenum, or the first part of the small intestine. —Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023

Two common types of peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, which occur on the inside of the stomach, and duodenal ulcers which occur on the inside of the upper portion of a person's small intestine, or duodenum. —Jonel Aleccia, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023

Doctors resectioned his colon, took out his gallbladder and operated on his duodenum, part of the small intestine. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023

The strongest evidence for this may come from what is, hands-down, the most reliable way of producing weight loss in obese people: gastric bypass surgery, in which doctors remove or bypass most of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine, or duodenum. —Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2018

An alternative method that has shown great efficiency is the use of the string test to sample the duodenum. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2011

Either way, bypass surgery that circumvents the duodenum may prevent this malfunction. —Bijal P Trivedi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012

Black poop is often an indicator of bleeding, typically in the upper GI tract—the stomach or the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. —Heather Mayer Irvine, Health, 9 Feb. 2023

The first and shortest section of the small intestine, just under one foot long, is the duodenum, which connects directly to the stomach. —Bijal P Trivedi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012

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