The middle section of the small intestine, located between the duodenum and ileum, where most nutrient absorption occurs.
From Latin jejunus meaning 'empty' or 'fasting,' because this portion of the intestine was often found empty during dissections of cadavers who had fasted before death.
The jejunum gets its name because ancient anatomists always found it empty, not realizing that food moves through this 8-foot section so quickly during digestion that it's rarely full at death. It's actually the body's nutrient absorption powerhouse, with specialized finger-like projections called villi that increase surface area to about the size of a tennis court!
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