jejun(o)-
The jejunum.
[Latin, neuter of jejunus, fasting.]
The jejunum is the part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum; the link with the Latin word is that it is usually found to be empty after death. A jejunostomy (Greek stoma, mouth) is a surgical operation in which the jejunum is brought through the abdominal wall and opened; the adjective jejunoileal refers to the jejunum and the ileum, usually with reference to a bypass operation in which they are connected.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.