jejunum /jijo̅o̅″nəm/ [L, jejunus, empty] , the intermediate or middle of the three portions of the small intestine, connecting proximally with the duodenum and distally with the ileum. The jejunum has a slightly larger diameter, a deeper color, and a thicker wall than the ileum and contains heavy, circular folds that are absent in the lower part of the ileum. The jejunum also has larger villi than the ileum. Compare ileum. −jejunal, adj.
