Encyclopedia > Ileum

Article Content

Ileum

In biology the ileum is the final section of the small intestine. It is about 4m long in humans, follows the jejunum and is separated from the cecum by the iliocecal valve, or ICV.

Its function is to absorb vitamin B₁₂ and bile salts.

In the fetus the ileum is connected to the navel by a duct. In some humans this duct fails to close after birth and causes a condition called Meckel's diverticulum.

All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!

Featured Article

Indian reservation

... is not subject to state law and therefore on many reservations, there are casinos. Indian Reservations in the United States (incomplete} Quinault Ind ...