Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology

Introduction

The duodenum is the proximal part of the small intestine and extends from the pylorus of the stomach to the jejunum. It has descending and ascending portions and both portions have digestive and absorptive functions.

Structure

The descending duodenum passes out of the pylorus of the stomach (on the right side of the abdomen) and has a sigmoid flexure. It passes towards the right abdominal wall and rises dorsally. In its passage, it is related dorsally to the right lobe of the pancreas, ventrally to the jejunum and medially to the ascending colon and caecum. At a point between the right kidney and pelvic inlet, it turns medially and cranially around the root of the mesentery to become the ascending duodenum. The point of turn is called the caudal flexure of the duodenum. The ascending duodenum is shorter and bends ventrally to enter the mesentery and becomes the jejunum. The mesoduodenum attaches the duodenum to the dorsal abdominal wall. Within the mesoduodenum is the right lobe of the pancreas. The pancreatic and bile ducts open into the duodenum. The bile duct and one of the pancreatic ducts discharge into the proximal part of the duodenum by separate major duodenal papillae. The second pancreatic duct discharges a little more distally on a smaller papilla. The cranial part of the descending duodenum is attached to the liver by the hepatoduodenal ligament. This is a remnant of the ventral mesogastrium in the embryo. The bile duct runs within the hepatoduodenal ligament.

Vasculature

The duodenum receives blood from the coeliac artery and the cranial mesenteric artery. Both are branches of the aorta. The cranial mesenteric vein drains blood from the duodenum into the portal vein. This blood, carrying the products of digestion, enters the liver.

Species Differences

Canine

The duodenum is about 25cm long in canine species. The mesoduodenum is relatively long.

Equine

Section of equine duodenum- © RVC 2008

The mesoduodenum is relatively short, so the duodenum is closely tethered in a constant position. The descending duodenum is attached to the base of the caecum. The descending duodenum runs caudally beneath the liver to the caudal pole of the right kidney where it has it's caudal flexure to become the ascending duodenum.

Ruminant

The mesoduodenum is relatively short. The first part of the descending duodenum rises almost vertically within the ribcage, in close apposition to the liver. It turns level with the tuber coxae. The first part of the duodenum is attached to the liver by the lesser omentum. The descending duodenum also provides attachment for the superficial and deep sheets of the greater omentum.

Porcine

The small intestine is comparable to the dog. The mesoduodenum is relatively long.

Links

Click here for more information on the Pathology of the Small and Large Intestine

Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Duodenum anatomy
Videos Selection of relevant videos	The Canine Abdomen Left Sided topography of the Equine abdomen The Feline Abdomen Right sided topography of the Ovine Abdomen
PowerPoint Selection of relevant PowerPoint tutorials	Histology of the duodenum - see part 1

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