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duoden(o)-

Duodenum.

Latin duodeni, in twelves.

The duodenum, the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach, was so named because its length was equivalent to the breadth of approximately twelve fingers. Duodenitis is inflammation of the duodenum; duodenostomy (Greek stoma, mouth), is the surgical creation of an opening to the duodenum through the abdominal wall; duodenectomy (Greek ektomē, excision) is surgical removal of the duodenum.

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