This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...

The stomach contains something called the pylorus, which connects the stomach to the duodenum. The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine. Together, the pylorus and duodenum play an ...

A duodenal ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer that can appear in the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine that’s connected directly to the stomach where it empties into the ...

A perforated duodenal ulcer can lead to severe complications, as it allows bacteria from the intestine to escape into and infect the lining of the abdomen. The infection can lead to sepsis, which can ...

The intestine is essential for life, and it is continuously exposed to foreign antigens and other environmental agents. Therefore, it comprises the largest compartment of the immune system, with ...