The ileum is the terminal portion of the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] and continues from the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]]. It opens into the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] at the '''ileocaecal orifice'''. The intestinal epithelium is mainly absorptive, with much less digestion occuring compared to the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] and the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]].
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The ileum is the terminal portion of the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] and continues from the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]]. It opens into the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] at the '''ileocaecal orifice'''. The intestinal epithelium is mainly absorptive, with much less digestion occurring compared to the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] and the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]].
==Structure==
==Structure==
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The boundary between the ileum and [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]] is arbitrarily distinguished by the position of the ileocaecal fold. It is more muscular and firmer than the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]] and it terminates at the '''ileocaecocolic junction'''.
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The boundary between the ileum and jejunum is arbitrarily distinguished by the position of the ileocaecal fold. It is more muscular and firmer than the jejunum and it terminates at the '''ileocaecocolic junction'''.
==Vasculature==
==Vasculature==
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==Histology==
==Histology==
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'''[[Peyer's Patches - Anatomy & Physiology|Peyer's Patches]]''', part of the mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), are present throughout the ileum and ileocaecal junction. They exist within the lamina propria and contain B and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes exist in follicles.
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'''[[Peyer's Patches - Anatomy & Physiology|Peyer's Patches]]''', part of the [[:Category:Mucosal Associated Lymphoid Tissue|mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)]], are present throughout the ileum and ileocaecal junction. They exist within the lamina propria and contain B and T [[:Category:Lymphocytes|lymphocytes]]. B lymphocytes exist in follicles.