From the Guidelines
The duodenum plays a crucial role in the digestive system, primarily involved in the continuation of digestion and absorption of nutrients from food, as well as the regulation of pH and the secretion of hormones that aid in digestion. The function of the duodenum is multifaceted, including:
- Continuation of digestion: The duodenum receives partially digested food from the stomach and further breaks it down with the help of bile from the gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas 1.
- Absorption of nutrients: The walls of the duodenum are lined with finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream 1.
- Regulation of pH: The duodenum helps to neutralize the acidic pH of the stomach contents by secreting bicarbonate ions, creating an optimal environment for enzyme activity 1.
- Hormone secretion: The duodenum secretes hormones such as cholecystokinin and secretin, which aid in digestion by stimulating the release of bile and pancreatic juice 1.
In terms of clinical practice, understanding the function of the duodenum is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders, such as duodenal adenomas and other nonampullary duodenal lesions 1. For example, the management of duodenal adenomas involves endoscopic resection, which is less morbid and resource-intensive than surgery, and is therefore the preferred treatment option 1. Additionally, the approach to endoscopic duodenal resection should be individualized to reduce bleeding risk, based on lesion size, morphology, patient comorbidities, and endoscopist comfort level with specific techniques 1.
Overall, the duodenum plays a vital role in the digestive process, and its function is closely related to the management of various gastrointestinal disorders.
From the Research
Function of the Duodenum
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies do not mention the function of the duodenum.
- The studies provided focus on various topics such as allergy and the cardiovascular system 2, diagnosis and evaluation of heart failure 3, evaluation of immediate adverse reactions to foods in adult patients 4, definition of self-medication 5, and clinical laboratory tests 6.
- None of these studies provide information on the function of the duodenum, which is a part of the small intestine involved in digestion and absorption of nutrients.