duodenum

[ doo-uh-dee-nuh m, dyoo-; doo-od-n-uh m, dyoo- ]
/ ˌdu əˈdi nəm, ˌdyu-; duˈɒd n əm, dyu- /

noun, plural du·o·de·na [doo-uh-dee-nuh, dyoo-; doo-od-n-uh, dyoo-] /ˌdu əˈdi nə, ˌdyu-; duˈɒd n ə, dyu-/, du·o·de·nums. Anatomy, Zoology.

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

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 from the Web for duodenum

British Dictionary definitions for duodenum

duodenum
/ (ˌdjuːəʊˈdiːnəm) /

noun plural -na (-nə) or -nums

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

Derived forms of duodenum

duodenal, adjective

Word Origin for duodenum

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

Medical definitions for duodenum

duodenum
[ dōō′ə-dēnəm, dōō-ŏdn-əm ]

n. pl. du•o•de•nums

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

Other words from duodenum

du′o•denal (dōō′ə-dēnəl, dōō-ŏdn-əl) adj.

Scientific definitions for duodenum

duodenum
[ dōō′ə-dēnəm, dōō-ŏdn-əm ]

Plural duodena duodenums

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

Cultural definitions for duodenum

duodenum
[ (dooh-uh-dee-nuhm, dooh-od-n-uhm) ]

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