Jejunum

What is Jejunum?

It is one of the 3 parts of the small intestine. The middle segment between the duodenum and the ileum is known as jejunum, found in all upper-level vertebrates like birds, reptiles, mammals including human.

Jejunum Location

Although the jejunum is anatomically well distinguished from the duodenum by the duodenojejunal flexure, such anatomically distinguishing structure is absent in between the jejunum and ileum. A jejunum is around 2.5 meter in length, which counts for about 2/5th of the complete small intestine (6.5-7.5 meter long). Many parallels running circular folds can be observed in the mucosa known as valves of Kerckring. It is attached to the posterior wall of the abdomen with the help of the membranous fold called mesentery (a double layer of peritoneum) which ensures the flexibility of the entire small intestine to be fitted in the abdominal cavity although it is tightly ‘framed’ by a colon.

Jejunum Location

Jejunum Location

 

Jejunum Histology

The histology of the jejunum is typical of the whole small intestine- mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and finally serosa. Simple columnar epithelium called laminar epithelialis lines the mucosa towards the lumen. The lumen are house to enterocytes (absorbs water and electrolytes), goblet cells (secretes mucus), enteroendocrine glands (secretes hormones) along with tuft cells, paneth cells, and stem cells. The intestinal gland known as Crypts of Lieberkühn and the finger-like projection called microvilli are the characteristic structures of the small intestine and hence the jejunum.

Jejunum Blood and nerve supply

Pureblood is supplied to the Jejunum from the superior mesenteric artery which branches off to form 5 jejunum arteries which ultimately splits up to approximately 20 branches in between the layers of the mesentery. The venous or impure blood is drained out with the help of corresponding jejunum veins to the superior mesenteric veins.

The superior mesenteric plexus and the coeliac plexus carries out the sympathetic innervation while the parasympathetic work is carried out by the vagus nerve or the 10th cranial nerve.

Jejunum Functions

Some of the most important functions of jejunum are:

Digestion of nutrients like protein by proteinase, starch by amylase etc. Most of the foods especially lipophilic nutrients are absorbed by the jejunum with the help of the microvilli. E.g. – proteins, cholesterol, fats and also the vitamins soluble in fats- A, D, E, and K. About 6/8 liters of water per day i.e., about 90% of the consumed is absorbed by the jejunum by controlling the osmotic gradient which leads to the paracellular transport of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

How long is the jejunum?

Answer: Jejunum is around 2.5 m(8.2 feet) long.

Jejunum Pictures

Difference Between Duodenum, Jejunum and Ileum

Difference Between Duodenum, Jejunum and Ileum

Image of Jejunum

Picture of Jejunum

Clinical Syndromes

Jejunoileitis

 

It is a form of Crohn’s diseases which results in the inflammation of the cells present in the jejunum. Children are more prone to this rare form of Crohn’s disease. This is also a part of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IFD).

Symptoms

Symptoms of jejunoileitis includes

  • Unbearable cramps after eating which may stay for hours.
  • Diarrhoea
  • Extreme abdominal pain
  • Weight loss due to malnourishment as the jejunum cannot absorb food
  • Anaemia
  • Fatigue

Diagnosis

This disease can easily be diagnosed by a CT scan or a double-balloon enteroscopy.

Treatment

This is still an incurable disease to the dismay of medical science. But treatment at preliminary stage includes medication like aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immunomodulatory. At a very severe stage removal of the affected part of the jejunum can give partial relief from the symptoms but the disease will return in future to another part of the GI tract. However, the severity of the disease can be controlled by a properly balanced diet from the nutritionist.

Jejunal diverticulosis

 

This is actually a form of a hernia where there is the formation of small mucosal sac-like structures through the weak points of the jejunum.

Cause

Although not proved it is believed to be caused by abnormal peristalsis, intestinal dyskinesia, and high segmental intraluminal pressures.

Symptoms

The symptoms of jejunal diverticulosis includes

  • Severe pain in the lower abdomen, which persists for several days or maybe even for a week.
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mild fever
  • Tender abdomen
  • Constipation and sometimes diarrhea
  • Painless bleeding with bowel

Diagnosis

The disease can be diagnosed by colonoscopy or barium enema X-Ray study.

Treatment

The main aim is to minimize the symptoms. A high-fiber diet along with fiber supplements like methylcellulose and psyllium are must for fighting the lesions. The pain and bloating can be reduced by medicines like mesalazine. If the disease goes to the severity of bleeding then consult immediately with medicine practitioner, a surgeon will generally go for jejunal resection.

Paralytic Ileus

It is the clinical condition when the jejunum and hence the whole small intestine gets temporarily paralyzed.

Causes

Most common causes include

  • Recent open abdomen surgery
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Food poisoning
  • Decrease of blood supply to the jejunum
  • Using excessive narcotic drugs like cocaine, heroin etc.

Symptoms

The symptoms of paralytic ileus are as follows

  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Problems to defecate
  • Individual cannot pass the wind
  • Peristalsis absent
  • Bowel sound absent

Diagnosis

The disease can be identified by abdominal ultrasounds and abdominal X-Ray.

Treatment

The individual must be admitted to the emergency ward and the bowel must be cleared by tubes first followed by giving intravenous food supply and intravenous fluid supply. Potassium may also help in fast recovery

Celiac disease

 

It is the only genetic disorder in the list that interrupts with the working of the small intestine. It affects the ability to absorb food from the small intestine. It is also much common than other jejunum diseases.

Cause

The etiology of the disease is the immune reaction to excessive consumption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rice.

Symptoms

Symptoms are generally very vague and mimic any other abdominal disease.

  • Mild pain in abdomen and joints.
  • General GI tract problems including acid reflux, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.
  • The presence of fat in the stool.
  • As the tract becomes dysfunctional there is iron deficiency, malnutrition, bone loss, fatigue and loss of weight.
  • The malnutrition severely affects the development. Puberty gets delayed and the growth is slowed down.
  • Itching, indigestion towards lactose are also characteristics of the disease.

Diagnosis

It can be diagnosed by any serological test. Although the most common test is the tTG and IgA test. If the test shows a positive result, the diagnosis can be confirmed by a biopsy of the small intestine.

Treatment

The basic treatment is gluten-free diet. Dietary supplements, vitamins, and pneumococcal vaccination are equally effective.

The jejunum is one of the most important parts of the body since it absorbs most of the nutrients. Although the diseases talked about cannot be prevented, but the severity of the diseases can easily be controlled.

References:

http://teachmeanatomy.info/abdomen/gi-tract/small-intestine/&grqid=6XtXEtOP&hl=en-IN

https://www.ibdrelief.com/learn/what-is-ibd/what-is-crohns-disease/jejunoileitis&grqid=B0Dxe790&hl=en-IN

https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-jejunum

https://www.britannica.com/science/sympathetic-nervous-system&grqid=zKx13QtT&hl=en-IN

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?p=944226#post944226

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/185356-overview

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diverticulosis-diverticulitis/treatment

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diverticulitis/basics/symptoms/con-20033495

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/organ/jejunum.htm

Last updated on April 23rd, 2018 at 11:07 am

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