Suspensory muscle of duodenum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Suspensory muscle of duodenum |
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| The duodenum. The suspensory muscle of the duodenum attaches to the duodenojejunal flexure, shown. | |
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| The duodenum and jejunum depicted in situ. The suspensory muscle of the duodenum connects posteriorly to the duodenojejunal flexure, behind the pancreas, shown. | |
| Latin | Musculus suspensorius duodeni, ligamentum suspensorium duodeni |
| System | Gastrointestinal |
| Nerve | Coeliac plexus, Superior mesenteric plexus |
The suspensory muscle of duodenum is a small, thin muscle in your body. It connects two important parts of your small intestine: the duodenum and the jejunum. Think of it like a tiny rope holding these parts together.
This muscle is also known as the ligament of Treitz. It helps to mark the exact spot where the first part of your small intestine (the duodenum) ends and the second part (the jejunum) begins. This division is important for doctors to tell the difference between the upper and lower parts of your gastrointestinal tract, which is your entire digestive system.
What Does This Muscle Do?
The suspensory muscle of the duodenum has a few jobs:
- Helps food move: It helps the small intestine move food along your digestive system. This movement is important for digestion.
- Holds things in place: When you were developing in your mother's womb, this muscle played a role in making sure your intestines were in the correct position. It helped to "fix" or hold the jejunum in place as your gut rotated and settled.
Where Is It Found?
This muscle is located deep inside your belly. It connects to the end of your duodenum, specifically where it bends to become the jejunum. This spot is called the duodenojejunal flexure.
The muscle itself starts from the connective tissue around some important blood vessels, like the coeliac artery and the superior mesenteric artery. These arteries supply blood to your digestive organs.
Why Is It Important?
Even though it's a small muscle, the suspensory muscle of the duodenum is a key landmark for doctors. When doctors perform surgery or look at images of your digestive system, this muscle helps them identify specific parts of your small intestine. Knowing where the duodenum ends and the jejunum begins can be very important for diagnosing and treating certain conditions.
See Also
In Spanish: Músculo suspensorio del duodeno para niños
