Duodenum

Question 1

What part of the small intestine is the duodenum?

Answer 1

It is most proximal portion of the small intestine

Question 2

What is the shape of the duodenum?

Answer 2

C-shaped

Question 3

Direction of the duodenum

Answer 3

It runs from the pylorus of the stomach to the duodenojejunal junction. It wraps around the head of the pancreas.

Question 4

Length of the duodenum

Answer 4

25cm long

Question 5

Parts of the duodenum

Answer 5

The duodenum can be divided into four parts; superior, descending, inferior and ascending

Question 6

Location of Superior part of duodenum

Answer 6

Spinal level L1

Question 7

What is the first section of the duodenum known as?

Answer 7

The cap

Question 8

Direction of the superior duodenum?

Answer 8

It ascends upwards from the pylorus of the stomach

Question 9

What connects the superior duodenum to the liver?

Answer 9

Hepatoduodenal ligament

Question 10

Most common site of duodenal ulceration

Answer 10

Superior duodenum

Question 11

What part of the duodenum is intraperitoneal?

Answer 11

The initial 3cm of the superior duodenum is covered anteriorly and posteriorly by visceral peritoneum (intraperitoneal), with the remainder retroperitoneal (only covered anteriorly).

Question 12

Location of the descending duodenum (spinal)

Answer 12

L1 - L3

Question 13

Direction of descending duodenum

Answer 13

The descending portion curves inferiorly around the head of the pancreas

Question 14

Location of descending duodenum

Answer 14

It lies posteriorly to the transverse colon, and anterior to the hilum of the right kidney.

Question 15

What marks the descending duodenum internally?

Answer 15

Internally, the descending duodenum is marked by the major duodenal papilla (bile and pancreatic duct) -€“ the opening at which bile and pancreatic secretions to enter from the ampulla of Vater (hepatopancreatic ampulla).

Question 16

Spinal level of inferior (horizontal) duodenum

Answer 16

L3

Question 17

Direction of inferior (horizontal) duodenum

Answer 17

The inferior duodenum travels laterally to the left, crossing over the inferior vena cava and aorta

Question 18

Location of inferior (horizontal) duodenum

Answer 18

It is located inferiorly to the pancreas, and posteriorly to the superior mesenteric artery and vein.

Question 19

Spinal location of ascending duodenum

Answer 19

L3-L2

Question 20

Direction of the ascending duodenum

Answer 20

After the duodenum crosses the aorta, it ascends and curves anteriorly to join the jejunum at a sharp turn known as the duodenojejunal flexure.

Question 21

Duodenojejunal flexure.

Answer 21

Sharp turn where duodenum joins jejunum anteriorly after the duodenum crosses the aorta

Question 22

Slip of muscle at the duodenojejunal junction

Answer 22

The suspensory muscle of the duodenum (or ligament of Treitz)

Question 23

Function of the suspensory muscle of the duodenum

Answer 23

Contraction of this muscle widens the angle of the flexure, and aids movement of the intestinal contents into the jejunum.

Question 24

The arterial supply of the duodenum

Answer 24

The arterial supply of the duodenum is derived from two sources:

Proximal to the major duodenal papilla -€“ gastroduodenal artery (branch of the coeliac trunk).
Distal to the major duodenal papilla -€“ pancreaticoduodenal artery (branch of superior mesenteric artery).

Question 25

Which parts of the duodenum are mobile?

Answer 25

The superior part and ascending part