what is the function of duodenum
Duodenum Functions
The duodenum continues the process of digestion of food that begins in the stomach. Its main function is to receive the chyme which is a combination of partially digested food and stomach acids. The chyme is released into the duodenum through pylorus, which is a small valve located between the stomach and the duodenum. The duodenum accepts the chyme from the stomach and continues the digestion. This is done with the help of digestive enzymes and intestinal juices secreted by the crypts in the intestinal wall. Also, the duodenum receives bile drained from the liver and gallbladder and pancreatic juice secreted by the pancreas. These secretions aid in digestion of food.
Apart from digesting foods, the duodenum regulates the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric emptying represents stomach emptying which is the process of food going from stomach to the duodenum. The duodenum also triggers the hunger signals. Both of these functions are performed with the help of hormones that are produced and released by the duodenal epithelium. Duodenal epithelium includes the cells that secrete two hormones known as secretin and cholecystokinin. When excess acid is present in small intestine or duodenum, hormone secretin is released. On the other hand, cholecystokinin is released in the presence of fatty acids and amino acids. Both secretin and cholecystokinin encourage secretion of bile and pancreatic juice.
Finally, duodenum absorbs the nutrients and it does it even more than the stomach. Because of that, in obese people, the duodenum is frequently bypassed in gastric bypass surgery to decrease the absorption of nutrients.
Duodenum Functions
The duodenum continues the process of digestion of food that begins in the stomach. Its main function is to receive the chyme which is a combination of partially digested food and stomach acids. The chyme is released into the duodenum through pylorus, which is a small valve located between the stomach and the duodenum. The duodenum accepts the chyme from the stomach and continues the digestion. This is done with the help of digestive enzymes and intestinal juices secreted by the crypts in the intestinal wall. Also, the duodenum receives bile drained from the liver and gallbladder and pancreatic juice secreted by the pancreas. These secretions aid in digestion of food.
Apart from digesting foods, the duodenum regulates the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric emptying represents stomach emptying which is the process of food going from stomach to the duodenum. The duodenum also triggers the hunger signals. Both of these functions are performed with the help of hormones that are produced and released by the duodenal epithelium. Duodenal epithelium includes the cells that secrete two hormones known as secretin and cholecystokinin. When excess acid is present in small intestine or duodenum, hormone secretin is released. On the other hand, cholecystokinin is released in the presence of fatty acids and amino acids. Both secretin and cholecystokinin encourage secretion of bile and pancreatic juice.
Finally, duodenum absorbs the nutrients and it does it even more than the stomach. Because of that, in obese people, the duodenum is frequently bypassed in gastric bypass surgery to decrease the absorption of nutrients.
