ileum

American  

[il-ee-uhm] / ˈɪl i əm /

noun

plural

ilea

1. Anatomy. the third and lowest division of the small intestine, extending from the jejunum to the cecum.

2. Zoology. the anterior portion of the hindgut of an insect or other arthropod.

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ileum British  

/ ˈɪlɪəm /

noun

1. the part of the small intestine between the jejunum and the caecum

2. the corresponding part in insects

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ileum Scientific  

/ ĭl′ē-əm /

plural

ilea

1. The lower part of the small intestine, connecting the jejunum to the cecum of the large intestine.

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Other Word Forms

• ileal adjective

Etymology

Origin of ileum

1675–85; < New Latin, Medieval Latin īleum, variant of Latin īlia (neuter plural) side of the body between hips and groin, guts, apparently by confusion with Latin īleus ileus

Compare meaning

How does ileum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• jejunum vs. ileum

Example Sentences

Notably, they observed a connection between accelerated biological aging and the microbiomes of both the colon and ileum, but not the fecal microbiome.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

In particular, the investigative team analyzed colon, ileum, stool, and blood samples from people living with chronic HIV infection and well-matched controls.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

The gallbladder secretes bile to the ileum, which uses it to break down fats.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The ileum ends and the large intestine begins at the ileocecal valve.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The Bacillus typhosus discovered by Eberth is the causal agent of typhoid fever, and has its chief seat of activity in the small intestine, more especially in the lower half of the ileum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various