Duodenum

Definition

The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine, immediately following the stomach, where a significant portion of digestion occurs. It receives partially digested food from the stomach, along with bile and pancreatic juice to continue the digestion process.

Related terms

Bile: A digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps break down fats into fatty acids which can be absorbed by the digestive tract.

Pancreatic juice: A fluid secreted by the pancreas containing enzymes that assist in digesting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine.

Small intestine: A long, coiled tube where most of the digestion of food particles and absorption of nutrients occurs, consisting of three sections - duodenum, jejunum, and ileum