The Digestive Tract
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From the stomach (B), food travels into the duodenum (C. Cranial flexure; D. Descending duodenum; E. Caudal flexure; F. Ascending duodenum). The duodenum courses caudally along the right abdominal wall. The caudal flexure passes caudal to the root of the mesentery so that the ascending duodenum is then to the left of the root of the mesentery. Which branch of the aorta is encircled by the root of the mesentery? In the duodenum, bicarbinate is added to neutralize the stomach acids, digestive enzymes are added from the pancreas (G), and bile is added from the the liver (A). What is the function of bile? The pancreas lies within the mesentery which suspends the duodenum from the body wall (H). What is the name of that mesentery? The food then travels from the ascending duodenum into the long, highly coiled jejunum (I). Although not part of the digestive system, I labelled the urinary bladder (J).
The cranial mesenteric artery is encircled by the root of the mesentery. Bile emulsifies fat so to aid in its digestion. The portion of the mesentery that suspends the duodenum and contains the pancreas is the mesoduodenum.