Definition of "duodenum" [du•o•de•num]

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

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "(If you imagine a vertical line connecting the two orifices, the duodenum sits very roughly at the midpoint; on the other hand, if you consider the actual route that food takes through the entire twisting length of the digestive system, then the duodenum is actually much closer to the mouth than to the anus.)"
• "And, as has been pointed out by ‘mark’, the duodenum is that part of the small intestine between the stomach and the large intestine – a long way from any body openings."
• "[*] As I noted above, Ace’s post was ambiguous as to whether the jackhammer cock’s approach to the duodenum is per orem or per anum. anon E. mouse Says:"