Last portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the colon (large intestine).
The lower two-thirds of the small intestine, ending in the ileocecal valve and emptying into the cecum of the colon. The last foot of the ileum is the only absorption site available for such important dietary substances as vitamin B12, folic acid, some essential fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins, and recycled bile acids.
The distal part of the small intestine opening into the cecum.
The lower part of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the caecum.
Distal portion of the small intestine, starting at its attachment with the jeunum and ending at the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine.
The final and longest portion of the small intestine; an important part of the digestive system. Together, the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum compose the small intestine. The ileum, about 12 feet in length, passes from the jejunum to the large intestine, or colon.
The lowest of the three portions of the small intestine. It runs from the jejunum to the ileocecal valve.
The third and last part of the small intestine, which, ends at the ileocecal orifice, the opening to the large intestine. The jejunum grades imperceptibly into the ileum, but as a whole the ileum has a narrower diameter (an average of 2.5 cm) than the jejunum. The ileum has many lymphoid nodules (Peyer’s patches), but only a few low circular folds (plicae circulares), and the end of the ileum has none at all. The ileum is approx. 4 m (12.5 ft) long.
The final segment of the diminutive gut, extending up to 10 feet in length and serving as the conduit to the large intestine.
Situated beyond the duodenum and jejunum, but preceding the large intestine, lies the terminal section of the small intestine, known as the lowest part.
The ileum is the last, longest, and narrowest portion of the small intestine. It connects to the jejunum at its upper end and to the large intestine (caecum, colon, and rectum) at its lower end. The primary role of the ileum is to absorb nutrients from the digested food that has passed through the stomach and the first two sections of the small intestine (the duodenum and jejunum).
At times, the ileum may encounter obstruction, such as when it protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall or becomes entangled with scar tissue after abdominal surgery. Other conditions related to the ileum consist of Meckel’s diverticulum, which is a pouch in the ileum wall that may develop ulcers, and disorders where nutrient absorption is affected, such as Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, tropical sprue, and lymphoma.
The lower portion of the small intestine located between the jejunum and the cecum.