[ ˌdju:ə'di:nəm ]
■ noun ( plural ~s or duodena -'di:nə ) Anatomy the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.
Derivatives
duodenal adjective
duodenitis -'nʌɪtɪs noun
Origin
ME: from med. L., from duodeni 'in twelves', its length being equivalent to the breadth of approximately twelve fingers.