A congenital formation of a diverticulum in the ileum [Described 1809. After Johann Friedrich Meckel Il (1781-1833), German surgeon and anatomist.]
Congenital sac protruding from the ileum (last part of the small intestine), caused by incomplete closure of the yolk sac; it occurs in about 2% of the population. It usually produces no symptoms but may cause signs of appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, or bleeding in children. Treatment is by surgery, done if symptoms are present and/or to avoid obstruction or inflammation of the area.
A blind pouch that results when the omphalomesenteric duct, which connects the gut to the yolk sac during embryonic development, fails to atrophy.
A congenital malformation in which a pouch of tissue forms near the lower end of the small intestine. Often, a Meckel diverticulum causes no symptoms and requires no treatment. About one third of cases contain the same type of tissue that lines the stomach. In those cases, the gastric tissue may secrete acid and ulcerate, leading to bleeding. The pouch can also become infected or obstructed and cause bleeding, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever.
A hollow pouch sometimes found attached to the small intestine about 90-120 cm (3-4 feet) from its junction with the large intestine. It is several centimetres long, and ends blindly. It is lined with cells similar to those which line the stomach, and these may produce acid thereby leading to illness Meckel’s diverticulitis with ulceration, which causes abdominal pain and fever (sometimes referred to as ‘left-sided appendicitis’). Perforation may result in peritonitis and, rarely, may be the lead point of an intussusception.
A prevalent anomaly that emerges from birth in approximately 1 out of 40 individuals is characterized by a small, hollow, wide-mouthed sac projecting from the ileum. Symptoms arise solely if this sac, known as a diverticulum, becomes infected, obstructed, or develops ulcers. The most frequently encountered symptom involves painless rectal bleeding, which might occur suddenly and be severe enough to necessitate an immediate blood transfusion. Inflammation could induce symptoms akin to those seen in appendicitis, notably lower abdominal pain. On occasion, Meckel’s diverticulum leads to complications like intussusception (telescoping) or volvulus (twisting) within the small intestine.
The abnormality can be diagnosed through technetium radionuclide scanning. In the event of any complications arising, they will be addressed by surgically removing the diverticulum.
The remnant of the embryonic yolk sac, located one to three feet above the ileocolic valve, exists in about 2.5% of people. This vestigial structure has been the source of various acute abdominal issues, including inflammation resembling acute appendicitis. Sometimes, gallstones can get trapped in it, leading to perforation and peritonitis.
The blind tip, which used to be the yolk sac in the embryo, is located one to three feet above the ileocolic valve. Only about 2.5% of people have some version of this structure. It has been the cause of various severe abdominal issues, including those resembling acute appendicitis. Sometimes, gallstones can get trapped in it, leading to ruptures and inflammation of the abdominal lining.