Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The ileum is the terminal portion of the small intestine and continues from the jejunum. It opens into the caecum at the ileocaecal orifice. The intestinal epithelium is mainly absorptive, with much less digestion occuring compared to the duodenum and the jejunum.

The ileum is the terminal portion of the small intestine and continues from the jejunum. It opens into the caecum at the ileocaecal orifice. The intestinal epithelium is mainly absorptive, with much less digestion occuring compared to the duodenum and the jejunum.

==Structure==

==Structure==

*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 - Anatomy & Physiology|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 - Anatomy & Physiology|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.

==Vasculature==

==Vasculature==

*The cranial mesenteric artery supplies blood to the ileum.

*The cranial mesenteric artery supplies blood to the ileum.

*see [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]]

*see [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]]

==Histology==

==Histology==

*'''[[Peyer's Patches - Anatomy & Physiology|Peyer's Patches]]''', part of the mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), are present throughout the ileum and ileocaecal junction.

*'''[[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 contain B and T lymphocytes.

**They contain B and T lymphocytes.