Chris Rea

To say that losing your pancreas is a sad thing is not an overstatement. They had to take my pancreas away, my duodenum, and it's damaged for ever.

British Musician

The word 'duodenum' is mainly used in medical or scientific contexts.

Medical Term

'Duodenum' refers to a specific section and should not be confused with the entire small intestine.

Specific Location

Unlike some medical terms, 'duodenum' is rarely used metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions.

Nonmetaphoric

 After three hours inside the stomach, the once shapely bolus is now a frothy liquid called chyme, and it's ready to move into the small intestine. The liver sends bile to the gallbladder, which secretes it into the first portion of the small intestine called the duodenum.