Duodenum
Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine. It begins at the exit of the stomach (pylorus) and after about 25 to 30 centimeters goes into the jejunum, the second section of the small intestine. The duodenum does important digestive work and provides hormones and other messenger substances. The duodenum gets its name from its length: about twelve fingers wide. Read all about the duodenum!
What is the duodenum?
The duodenum is the beginning of the intestinal system and the first section of the small intestine. It is sharply demarcated from the stomach outlet (pylorus), about 25 to 30 centimeters long and has the shape of a C, in the round side of which the head of the pancreas is located.
The beginning of the duodenum is the approximately five centimeters long and horizontally extending limb (pars superior). It has an extended beginning and an almost smooth surface on the inside.
This is followed by the descending leg (pars descendens) of the duodenum, the inner surface of which is enlarged by numerous folds (Kerckring folds) and contains the so-called Brunner's glands (duodenal glands). The ducts of the large digestive glands also flow into the duodenum in this area: the main bile duct (which conducts the bile from the liver or gallbladder to the duodenum) and the pancreatic duct, which transports the pancreatic secretions.
At the end of the C there is another horizontal part (pars horizontalis or pars inferior), which then merges into a again rising part (pars ascendens), at the end of which the second section of the small intestine, the jejunum, begins.
What is the function of the duodenum?
The duodenal function consists in the continuation of the digestive process started in the mouth and stomach by enzymes: These come from the pancreas and the duodenal glands.
Both glandular secretions contain digestive enzymes as well as bicarbonate: it increases the pH value of the chyme, which - when it enters the duodenum from the stomach - is strongly acidic. In order for the enzymes to become active, the acidity level must be reduced with bicarbonate.
The bile introduced into the duodenum is also important for digestion: the bile acids it contains are necessary for fat digestion.
Enteric hormones
Various enteric hormones are also formed and secreted in the duodenum:
- Gastrin stimulates the formation and secretion of gastric acid and pancreatic secretions.
- Secretin stimulates the production of bicarbonate.
- Cholecystokinin promotes the release of pancreatic enzymes and bile acids for fat digestion.
What problems can the duodenum cause?
A megaduodenum is a permanent enlargement of the duodenum that can be congenital or acquired.
Duodenal diverticula are protrusions of the intestinal wall in the area of the duodenum. They are almost always found on the inner side of the curve and rarely cause discomfort.
Inflammation of the duodenum (duodenitis) can lead to a duodenal ulcer (duodenal ulcer, duodenal ulcer).
The passage through the duodenum may be affected by a congenital or acquired narrowing. Doctors speak of duodenal stenosis here.
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