duodenum

American  

[doo-uh-dee-nuhm, dyoo-, doo-od-n-uhm, dyoo-] / ˌdu əˈdi nəm, ˌdyu-, duˈɒd n əm, dyu- /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

duodena, duodenums

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

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duodenum British  

/ ˌdjuːəʊˈdiːnəm /

noun

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

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duodenum Scientific  

/ 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.

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duodenum Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• duodenal adjective

Etymology

Origin of duodenum

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)

Example Sentences

He had a procedure which resulted in the removal of part of his pancreas, the duodenum, the gall bladder and part of his liver.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• belly
• innards