What it means
A C-shaped tube about 25 cm (10 inches) long that curves around the head of the pancreasPAN-kree-usA long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.pan- allcreas fleshFull entry . Bile and pancreatic juices enter it and mix with food from the stomach, and much chemical digestion happens here. Duodenal ulcers are a common type of peptic ulcer, often linked to H. pylori infection or NSAIDs.
At a glance
| Spanish | duodeno |
|---|---|
| Also written | duodenal |
Related terms
ulcer
An open sore where the skin or the lining of an organ has broken down.
pancreas
A long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
gallbladder
A small pear-shaped sac under the liver that stores bile and releases it to help digest fat.
endoscopy
A procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera to look inside the body.
small intestine
The long, narrow part of the bowel between the stomach and the large intestine, where most digestion and absorption happen.