Duodenum

The duodenum /ˌduːəˈdiːnəm/ or /ˌduːˈɒdᵻnəm/ also known as dodecadactylum, is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear, and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum. In mammals the duodenum may be the principal site for iron absorption.

The duodenum precedes the jejunum and ileum and is the shortest part of the small intestine, where most chemical digestion takes place.

In humans, the duodenum is a hollow jointed tube about 25–38 cm (10–15 inches) long connecting the stomach to the jejunum. It begins with the duodenal bulb and ends at the suspensory muscle of duodenum.

Structure

The duodenum is a 25–38 cm C-shaped structure lying adjacent to the stomach. It is divided anatomically into four sections. The first part of the duodenum lies within the peritoneum but its other parts are retroperitoneal.

First part

The first part, or superior part, of the duodenum is a continuation from the pylorus. It is superior to the rest of the segments, at the vertebral level of L1. The duodenal bulb about 2 cm long, is the very first part of the duodenum and is slightly dilated. The duodenal bulb is a remnant of the mesoduodenum, a mesentery which suspends the organ from the posterior abdominal wall in fetal life. The first part of the duodenum is mobile, and connected to the liver by the hepatoduodenal ligament of the lesser omentum. The first part of the duodenum ends at the corner, the superior duodenal flexure.

Duodenum (song)

"Duodenum" is a song by Frank Zappa that first appeared as part of "Lumpy Gravy Part One" on the Verve Records edition of Lumpy Gravy. It is an instrumental (although it contains vocals on the 1984 Lumpy Gravy remix) that runs for approximately 1:32 and is the second identifiable track on the album, preceded by "The Way I See It, Barry" and followed by "Oh No". Documentation purports that this piece was likely produced and recorded by Zappa sometime between 1963 and 1965.

The duodenum, in anatomy, is part of the digestive system and connects the stomach to the small intestine.

Fillmore East - June 1971, released in 1971, contains a performance of "Duodenum" with added lyrics under the name "Bwana Dik." The song was used as part of a routine during which the band member most considerably endowed or popular with groupies was given the moniker "Bwana Dik."

"Duodenum" also appears in its instrumental form on the 1991 live double album Make a Jazz Noise Here as "Theme from Lumpy Gravy."