duodenum

Definition

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

Etymology

From Medieval Latin duodēnum digitōrum (“space of twelve digits”) in reference to its length, from duodēnī (“twelve each”) + digitōrum, genitive plural of digitus (“finger; toe; digit”).

Example Sentences

• "From the Stomacke to the very Fundament, are produced the Guts or Inteſtina, which ſerue a little to alter and diſtribute the Chilus, and convey away the excrements. They are divided into ſmall and great, by reason of their ſite and ſubſtance, ſlender or thicker. The ſlender is Duodenum or whole gut, which is next to the ſtomacke, ſome twelue inches long (ſaith Fuſchius.)"
• "The Inteſtina tenuia were burnt in many places, but not quite through any where, excepting two or three. […] The length of that which is commonly call'd the Duodenum, was about 4½ Foot."
• "The duodenum receives the chyme from the stomach, and has generally been believed to accomplish the second digestion, or the conversion of chyme into chyle. In the duodenum it meets with the bile, pancreatic and intestinal fluids, loses its acid properties, and becomes alkaline, probably by the agency of the soda of the bile; […]"