Difference between revisions of "Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology"
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*The ileum is the terminal portion of the small intestine. | *The ileum is the terminal portion of the small intestine. | ||
| − | *The boundary between the ileum and jejunum is arbitrarily distinguished by the position of the ileocaecal fold. | + | *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. | + | *It is more muscular and firmer than the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]]. |
*It terminates at the ileocaecocolic junction. | *It terminates at the ileocaecocolic junction. | ||
Revision as of 11:09, 11 July 2008
Structure
- The ileum is the terminal portion of the small intestine.
- 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.
- It terminates at the ileocaecocolic junction.
Function
- Mainly absorptive, much less digestion occurs than in the duodenum and jejunum.
Vasculature
- The cranial mesenteric artery supplies blood to the ileum.
- see jejunum
Histology
- Peyer's Patches, part of the mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), are present throughout the ileum and ileocaecal junction.
- They contain B and T lymphocytes.
- B lymphocytes exist in follicles.