What is Meckels diverticulum?
Meckel’s diverticulum is a small pouch in the wall of the intestine, near the junction of the small and large intestines. The pouch is a remnant of tissue from the prenatal development of the digestive system. It is not made of the same type of tissue as the small intestine, but, instead, is made of the type of tissue found in the stomach or the pancreas. The tissue in Meckel’s diverticulum produces acid, just as the tissue of the stomach does. The intestinal lining is not accustomed to acid and thus, an ulcer can form over time. The ulcer can rupture, causing waste products from the intestine to leak into the abdominal cavity. A serious abdominal infection called peritonitis can result. The intestine can also become blocked by Meckel’s diverticulum, which can prevent the passage of digested food and lead to intestinal obstruction.
