parts of duodenum

Structure

Superior (1st part) :- short (approx. 5cm):

• Anterior - peritoneum, gallbladder, quadrate lobe of liver
• Posterior - bile duct, gastroduodenal artery, portal vein, inferior vena cava
• Medial
• Superior - neck of gallbladder
• Inferior - neck of pancreas
• Vertebral level - Anterolateral to L1 vertebra

Descending (2nd part) :- (7-10 cm long):

• Anterior - transverse colon, transverse mesocolon, coils of small intestine
• Posterior - hilum of right kidney, renal vessels, ureter, psoas major
• Medial - head of pancreas, pancreatic duct, bile duct
• Superior
• Inferior
• Vertebral level - right of L2-L3 vertebra

Horizontal (3rd part) :- (6-8 cm long):

• Anterior - superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein, coils of small intestine
• Posterior - right psoas major, inferior vena cava, aorta, right ureter
• Medial
• Superior - head & uncinate process of pancreas, superior mesenteric vessels
• Inferior
• Vertebral level - anterior to L3 vertebra

Ascending (4th part) :- short (5 cm):

• Anterior - begining of root of mesentery, coils of jejunum
• Posterior - left psoas major, left margin of aorta
• Medial - head of pancreas
• Superior - body of pancreas
• Inferior
• Vertebral level - left of L3 vertebra

More general terms

• duodenum