ileum

(il′ē-ŭm )

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(il′ē-ă )
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pl. ilea [L. ile, ileum, ilium, pl. ilia, area of the abdomen from the lowest rib to the pubes; flank, groin]
The third and last part of the small intestine, approx. 4 m (12.5 ft) long, and ending at the ileocecal orifice (the opening to the large intestine). The jejunum grades imperceptibly into the ileum, but the ileum has a narrower diameter (an average of 2.5 cm) than the jejunum. The ileum has many lymphoid nodules (Peyer patches), but only a few plicae circulares (circular folds).
SEE: abdominal regions and SEE: digestive system for illus

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