Main Entry:

du·o·de·num

Pronunciation:

\ˌdü-ə-ˈdē-nəm, du̇-ˈä-də-nəm also (ˌ)dyü-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural du·o·de·na \-ˈdē-nə, -də-nə\ or du·o·denums

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

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

— du·o·de·nal \-ˈdē-n^əl, -də-nəl\ adjective