Where is the ileum

In the lower right part of the abdominal cavity of the human body is the ileum. It is the lower part of the small intestine, continues with the upper part of the large intestine, and flows into the cecum.

The structure of the ileum

The intestine is covered on all sides by the peritoneum. It has a well-marked mesentery, with which it is attached to the back of the abdominal wall. Together with the skinny, it is defined as the mesenteric part of the small intestine. There is no clear border between them. However, the ileum has a larger diameter. Its walls are thicker, better supplied with blood vessels. Her loops are located to the right of the midline of the abdomen, and the skinny loops are located to the left. The ileum is separated from the cecum by the Bauhinia valve. She passes the food lump in only one direction - into the cecum.

It is a hollow organ that is made up of smooth muscle tissue. It is represented by two fibrous layers - the outer longitudinal and the inner circular. Between them is tissue with blood vessels and muscle plexuses. The mucous membrane is covered with epithelium with many villi.

Due to the well-developed muscle layer, the length of the intestine in an adult varies from 1.3 to 2.6 meters. The inner diameter is approximately 27 mm, the acidity is slightly alkaline, it is 7–8 pH. The contractions of the muscular membrane promote mixing and propelling of the food gruel. After death, when the muscles relax, the length of the organ can reach 3.6 meters.

Functions

The ileum performs several functions - secretory, absorption and motor. The secret of the ileum is the juice, with the help of which the parietal and cavity digestion of food occurs. About 2.4 liters are produced per day. They include lipase, peptidase, alkaline phosphatase. The release of juice begins after mechanical irritation of the intestinal walls with a food lump, or exposure to chemicals.

The thick part of the intestinal juice is represented by lumps of epithelial cells, which synthesize and accumulate enzymes. The secreted secretion promotes parietal and cavity digestion. At the right time, epithelial cells are separated and enter the intestinal lumen. There, food is hydrolyzed to intermediate substances. In the membrane process, further degradation occurs and the absorption of end products into the blood begins. The process is carried out due to the movement of the villi, small intestine motility and increased intraintestinal pressure.

The inner muscle layer of the ileum, performing pendulum movements, mixes the chyme processed by enzymes. Peristaltic waves of the external longitudinal muscles promote its movement into the large intestine.

There are 22 different enzymes in the ileum. The intestinal microflora of an adult is 5 kg, in a child no more than 3. Most of it is useful to humans. And pathogenic microbes live off undigested food debris. Their interaction with each other is called symbiosis. In the intestinal microflora, the following are most often present:

• colibacillus;
• bifidobacteria;
• lactobacilli;
• staphylococcus aureus.

Some bacteria synthesize amino acids in small amounts of vitamins. Another important function is the inhibition of the development of opportunistic and pathogenic flora. If the balance between the groups is disturbed, dysbiosis occurs. When the number of putrefactive bacteria increases, the toxins they release poison the body.

Signs of pathology

Violation of even one of the functions of the ileum leads to the development of pathology.

Regardless of the etiology, all diseases have the same intestinal symptoms, which are called malabsorption syndrome:

• loss of appetite, vomiting;
• pains of a different nature, strength and localization;
• increased gas formation;
• rumbling and bubbling in the intestines;
• upset stool.

With exacerbations, the pain intensifies, an admixture of blood appears in the feces. Diarrhea can last for several days in a row up to 7 times a day. Undigested food is present in the stool. For a long time, the patient experiences a sensation of transfusion in the intestines, flatulence. Bursting pain, pulling, aching. Localized to the right of the navel. Relief comes after flatulence.

Long-term intestinal symptoms disrupt other organs and systems. The lack of blood circulation in the ileum results in a shortage of the necessary elements. Deficiency of iron and B vitamins leads to anemia. Lack of vitamin A provokes visual impairment, dryness of the conjunctiva. Due to a lack of vitamin K, hemorrhages occur on the body. The patient loses weight and cannot recover for a long time.

Major diseases

Chronic ileitis occurs with improper treatment of an acute illness, concomitant dysfunctions of the liver, gallbladder and intestines. The process is characterized by severe pain and diarrhea. It responds well to treatment. This is proper nutrition and taking enzyme preparations.

One of the most serious chronic diseases is Crohn's disease. The inflammatory process of the intestinal walls alternates with periodic scarring. The resulting scars provoke intestinal obstruction. Ulcers and fistulas lead to bleeding. In this regard, anemia develops. Due to a lack of nutrients, the patient loses weight, complete exhaustion sets in.

On the part of the respiratory system, there is a cough, bronchospasm, hoarseness, constant nasal discharge. Neurological disorders are expressed in dizziness and pain, frequent fainting. Low blood pressure, arrhythmia develops. Dry mouth and throat. Hives, dermatitis, Quincke's edema appear on the skin.

Immunodeficiency contributes to the development of lymphoid hyperplasia. This phenomenon occurs against the background of complications of tonsillitis, polyposis, pathologies of the large intestine. The submucosal layer of the terminal intestine is affected. Cells grow by dividing, neoplasms appear. Lack of blood circulation leads to tissue death. In the body, metabolism is disturbed, intoxication develops. This condition is of a transient nature, more often, it disappears forever.

Whipple's disease is more common in men. Specific fungi appear, they multiply and grow. Thickening of the mucous membrane occurs. The digestion process is disrupted, the body does not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. General intoxication develops. The condition is accompanied by an increase in temperature, there is an ache in the joints. Loose stools are periodically observed.

Of the neoplasms, benign ones are more common. The disease has no symptoms for a long time. When the tumor reaches a large size, pain syndrome, intestinal obstruction, bleeding occurs. Colon cancer is rare. Improper nutrition is a contributing factor. This is the use of large quantities of fatty, fried and smoked foods. Ignoring the disease contributes to the damage to neighboring organs.

Diagnostics

In view of the development of severe complications, a patient with signs of intestinal diseases should consult a doctor as soon as possible. A correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment contribute to a favorable prognosis. The main diagnostic method is fiber endoscopy. The study allows you to determine the localization of the pathology, the size and characteristics of the disease.

The patient should prepare for an endoscopy. A two-week diet is required. You can eat liquid porridge in water. In the morning and in the evening, you need to do a cleansing enema. The day before the diagnosis, stop eating. You can't even drink water for 6 hours.

Given the location of the organ and its inaccessibility, endoscopy is combined with X-ray, ultrasound, immunological and histological examination. The patient is prescribed clinical tests, blood, urine, feces. Consultation of a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, oncologist may be required.

Treatment

It is dangerous to ignore ileal inflammation, especially if Crohn's disease or cancer is suspected. The initial stage is treated conservatively. These are antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatories and enzymes. Proper nutrition is essential. Eaten foods and dishes should be easily digestible, should not overload and irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal obstruction, necrosis, cancer requires surgery.

Prophylaxis

In acute ileitis, the prognosis is favorable. In a chronic process, recovery depends on the degree of the disease, concomitant symptoms, and laboratory test indicators. A severe course with complications may have an unfavorable outcome.

To exclude the occurrence of relapses in chronic disease, a strict diet is needed. In this case, the food must contain in full the required amount of mineral salts and vitamins. The patient will have to give up negative habits, timely treat chronic infectious foci, regularly - once a year - undergo a preventive examination by a gastroenterologist.

Video: The ileum: what is it, where is it?

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