duodenum

[doo-uh-dee-nuhm, dyoo-; doo-od-n-uhm, dyoo-] Origin

du·o·de·num

[doo-uh-dee-nuhm, dyoo-; doo-od-n-uhm, dyoo-]
noun, plural du·o·de·na [doo-uh-dee-nuh, dyoo-; doo-od-n-uh, dyoo-] , du·o·de·nums. Anatomy, Zoology.
the first portion of the small intestine, from the stomach to the jejunum.


Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin, by ellipsis from intestīnum duodēnum digitōrum intestine of twelve fingerbreadths, with original genitive plural construed as neuter singular; Latin duodēnī twelve each (here lacking distributive sense)
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Duodenum is always a great word to know.
So is descending colon. Does it mean:
last portion of the colon
terminal part of the rectum forming the passage to the anus
Collins
World English Dictionary
duodenum (ˌdjuːəʊˈdiːnəm)
 
n , pl -na, -nums
the first part of the small intestine, between the stomach and the jejunum
 
[C14: from Medieval Latin, shortened from intestinum duodenum digitorum intestine of twelve fingers' length, from Latin duodēnī twelve each]
 
duo'denal
 
adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

duodenum
late 14c., from M.L. duodenum digitorium "space of twelve digits," from L. duodeni "twelve each." Coined by Gerard of Cremona (d.1187), who translated "Canon Avicennae," a loan-transl. of Gk. dodekadaktylon, lit. "twelve fingers long," the intestine part so called by Gk. physician Herophilus (c.353-280
EXPAND
B.C.E.) for its length, about equal to the breadth of twelve fingers.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

duodenum du·o·de·num (d&oomacr;'ə-dē'nəm, dy&oomacr;'-, d&oomacr;-ŏd'n-əm, dy&oomacr;-)
n. pl. du·o·de·nums or du·o·de·na (d&oomacr;'ə-dē'nə, dy&oomacr;'-, d&oomacr;-ŏd'n-ə, dy&oomacr;-)
The beginning portion of the small intestine, starting at the lower end of the stomach and extending to the jejunum.


du'o·de'nal (d&oomacr;'ə-dē'nəl, dy&oomacr;'-, d&oomacr;-ŏd'n-əl, dy&oomacr;-) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
duodenum   (d'ə-dē'nəm, d-ŏd'n-əm)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural duodena or duodenums
The beginning part of the small intestine, starting at the lower end of the stomach and extending to the jejunum.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
duodenum [(dooh-uh-dee-nuhm, dooh-od-n-uhm)]

The first part of the small intestine, located just below the stomach. (See digestive system.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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