by about seven weeks after conception. In the case of
Meckel’s diverticulum (and other intestinal abnormal-
ities, including cysts and fistulas), however, the ducts fail
to disappear into the intestinal tissue and instead form
small pouches.
These pouches have their own blood supply and
may contain tissue from the pancreas, jejunum, duo-
denum, colon, rectum, or endometrium. Most com-
monly, however, the pouch contains stomach tissue in
about 80% of cases.
Meckel’s diverticulum is estimated to occur in
about 2% of the population. The condition occurs
about equally in males and females, but males are two
to three times more likely to develop complications.
Most people with Meckel’s diverticulum do not
experience symptoms and never know that they have
the condition. Doctors may discover the condition
when performing diagnostic tests for other abdominal
conditions.
DescriptionSymptoms of Meckel’s diverticulum usually develop
in children by 2 years of age, and people over the age of 10
years rarely have symptoms of the condition.
The most common symptoms associated with
Meckel’s diverticulum involve bleeding into the intes-
tines, intestinal blockages, or inflammation. New-
borns are more likely to experience intestinal
blockage, whereas older infants and young children
typically experience bleeding as the primary symptom.
In adults, intestinal blockage is the most common
complication associated with Meckel’s diverticulum.
Bleeding from Meckel’s diverticulum occurs when
the stomach tissue in the lower intestine begins to
secrete acid. Normally, stomach cells secrete acid to
aid in food digestion, and the stomach’s protective
lining prevents the acid from damaging the digestive
tract. However, when the stomach tissue in a Meckel’s
diverticulum begins secreting acid in the lower intestine,
there is no protective lining. As a result, the acid ulcer-
ates the intestinal walls, causing bleeding and pain.
A person with this condition may pass bloody
stools, ranging in color from bright red, to maroon,A close-up image of a patient’s small intestine with a
protruding sac. This condition, call Meckel’s diverticulum, is
a congenital abnormality occurring in 2% of the population,
usually males.(Custom Medical Stock Photo, Inc. Reproduced
by permission.)
KEY TERMS
Anus—The opening at the end of the intestines.
Appendectomy—The procedure to surgically
remove an appendix.
Appendicitis—Inflammation of the appendix.
Barium—A thick liquid that coats the stomach after
consumption, allowing the inside of the stomach to
show up on an x-ray.
Congenital—Present at birth.
Crohn’s disease—Disorder that causes inflamma-
tion of the digestive tract.
Diverticula—Small pouch in the colon.
Diverticulitis—Having diverticula that have
become infected or inflamed.
Diverticulosis—Having diverticula.
Esophageal atresia—Disorder of the digestive sys-
tem in which the esophagus does not develop
properly.
Omphalocele—Birth defect that causes abdominal
contents to protrude into the base of the umbilical
cord.
Rectum—The last eight to ten inches of the colon,
through which wastes are removed from the body.
The anus is part of the rectum.
Resection—Surgical removal of a structure or
organ.
Volvulus—A twisted loop of bowel that causes
obstruction.Meckel’s diverticulum