Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology

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Introduction

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

Vasculature

Innervation

Lymphatics

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.

Species Differences

Links