Final answer:
The duodenum is around 25.4 cm (10 inches) long, making it the shortest segment of the small intestine and important for chemical digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The length of the duodenum is approximately 25.4 cm (10 inches) long. It is the shortest region of the small intestine, beginning at the pyloric sphincter. The duodenum is responsible for a significant portion of chemical digestion and plays a vital role in the digestive system, with its four segments—superior, descending, horizontal, and ascending duodenum—encircling the head of the pancreas and making a C-shaped curve.