Why is the duodenum c shaped

The pancreatic duct and common bile duct enter the descending duodenum through the major duodenal papilla ampulla of Vater. This part of the duodenum also contains the minor duodenal papilla, the entrance for the accessory pancreatic duct. The junction between the embryological foregut and midgut lies just below the major duodenal papilla. The fourth ascending part passes superiorly, either anterior to, or to the left of, the aorta, until it reaches the inferior border of the body of the pancreas.

Then, it curves anteriorly and terminates at the duodenojejunal flexure where it joins the jejunum. The duodenojejunal flexure is surrounded by a peritoneal fold containing muscle fibers: the ligament of Treitz. Duodenum means "twelve" in Latin and the name derives from the belief that it measured twelve finger widths in length duodenum digitorum 4. Anatomy: Abdominopelvic. Please Note: You can also scroll through stacks with your mouse wheel or the keyboard arrow keys.

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URL of Article. On this page:. Quiz questions. Another important function of the duodenum is immune support. The duodenum acts as a barrier to prevent harmful microbes from entering the body.

The friendly bacteria in the duodenum and other parts of the small intestine take up space and compete for food inside the duodenum. As a result, pathogens disease-causing germs have a difficult time multiplying there. Conditions of the duodenum are prevalent in people of any age. Maladies of the duodenum are a common source of abdominal discomfort for many people.

Due to a complex connection between the duodenum and the accessory organs of digestion such as the liver and pancreas , malignancies cancerous cells are often seen concurrently in the duodenum and pancreas as well as the bile duct of the liver.

Duodenitis is an inflammation of the lining of the duodenum. Common conditions of the duodenum, such as duodenitis, may be acute short term and severe or chronic long term. The condition may not result in any symptoms at all; it may be diagnosed when a person is being examined for another type of digestive disorder. In other instances, symptoms such as discomfort or a burning sensation in the abdominal region may be present. Other symptoms may include:. Several tests are commonly used to diagnose conditions of the duodenum, including duodenitis.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Collins J, Badireddy M. Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, small intestine. Updated April 5, Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Duodenal atresia. Updated Iron Disorders Institute.

Updated January 1, Repertoire of the gut microbiota from stomach to colon using culturomics and next-generation sequencing. BMC Microbiol. MUSC Health. Stomach and duodenum. Diagnosis of celiac disease in pediatric patients. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. Celiac disease and other causes of duodenitis.

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Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Related Articles. The Anatomy of the Small Intestine. The Mysteries of Your Digestive System. Learn About the Purpose of Your Sphincters. How Bile Helps Digestion. An Overview of Small Bowel Diverticula.