pohjukaissuolessa

Pohjukaissuolessa is a Finnish locative form meaning “in the duodenum” and is used in medical Finnish to indicate the location of processes, findings, or pathology within the duodenum.

The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine, extending about 25 to 38 cm in length. It forms a C-shaped curve around the head of the pancreas and is largely retroperitoneal, with the exception of its proximal part. It consists of four parts: superior, descending, horizontal, and ascending. The major duodenal papilla, where the bile and pancreatic ducts enter, and the minor papilla, where the accessory pancreatic duct may enter, are key anatomical landmarks.

Functionally, the duodenum receives chyme from the stomach and mixes it with bile and pancreatic juice. This neutralizes stomach acid and initiates digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The mucosa participates in absorption, including iron and calcium, and houses digestive enzymes on the brush border.

Histologically, the mucosa contains villi and crypts of Lieberkühn lined by simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells. The proximal duodenum contains Brunner’s glands in the submucosa that secrete alkaline mucus to protect the mucosa from acidic chyme.

Blood supply comes from the gastroduodenal and superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, with venous drainage to the portal system. Lymphatics drain to abdominal nodes; innervation derives from the vagus nerves and sympathetic fibers.

Clinically, conditions described using pohjukaissuolessa include duodenitis and duodenal ulcers, the latter often associated with Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use. The duodenum can also be involved in broader diseases such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.