Jejunum

Part of the small intestine. It is half-way down the small intestine between its duodenum and ileum sections. The term "jejunum" derives from the Latin "jejunus," which means "empty of food," "meager," or "hungry." The ancient Greeks noticed at death that this part of the intestine was always empty of food. Hence, the name the jejunum. The Latin "jejunus" also gave rise to "jejune" means lacking in nutritive value and devoid of substance, significance or interest, that is dull. A jejune argument is one that is empty (like the jejunum) and totally devoid of interest.

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The portion of small intestine, about 8 feet in length, between the duodenum and the ileum. The j. is distinct from the ileum in being more proximal, of larger diameter with a thicker wall, having larger, more highly developed plicae circulares, being more vascular (redder in appearance), with the jejunal arteries forming fewer tiers of arterial arcades and longer vasa recta. [L. jejunus, empty]

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je·ju·num ji-'jü-nəm n, pl je·ju·na -nə the section of the small intestine that comprises the first two fifths beyond the duodenum and that is larger, thicker-walled, and more vascular and has more circular folds and fewer Peyer's patches than the ileum

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n.

part of the small intestine. It comprises about two-fifths of the whole small intestine and connects the duodenum to the ileum.

• jejunal adj.

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je·ju·num (jə-jooґnəm) [L. “empty”] [TA] the second section of the small intestine, extending from the duodenum to the ileum. jejunal adj