Ileocecal valve
| Ileocecal valve | |
|---|---|
Interior of the cecum and lower end of ascending colon with the ileocecal valve labeled as "colic valve"
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Endoscopic image of cecum with arrow pointing to ileocecal valve in foreground
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| Details | |
| Latin | Valva ileocaecalis or papilla ilealis |
| Ileocolic artery | |
| Ileocolic vein | |
| Identifiers | |
| MeSH | A03.556.124.684.249.400 |
| Dorlands /Elsevier |
v_02/12843921 |
| TA | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 744: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| TH | {{#property:P1694}} |
| TE | {{#property:P1693}} |
| FMA | {{#property:P1402}} |
| Anatomical terminology
[[[d:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 863: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|edit on Wikidata]]]
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The ileocecal valve (ileal papilla, ileocaecal valve, Tulp's valve, Tulpius valve, Bauhin's valve, ileocecal eminence, valve of Varolius or colic valve) is a sphincter muscle valve that separates the small intestine and the large intestine. Its critical function is to limit the reflux of colonic contents into the ileum.[1]
The ileocecal valve is distinctive because it is the only site in the gastrointestinal tract that is used for Vitamin B12 and bile acid absorption.[2][3] Roughly two litres of fluid enters the colon daily through the ileocecal valve.
Recent evidence indicates an anatomical sphincter may also be present in humans.[4]
Contents
Etymology
It was described by the Dutch physician Nicolaes Tulp (1593–1674), and thus it is sometimes known as Tulp's valve.
Histology
The histology of the ileocecal valve shows an abrupt change from a villous mucosa pattern of the ileum to a more colonic mucosa. A thickening of the muscularis mucosa[citation needed], which is the smooth muscle tissue found beneath the mucosal layer of the digestive tract. A thickening of the muscularis externa is also noted.[4]
There is also a variable amount of lymphatic tissue found at the valve.[5]
The ileocecal valve has a papillose structure.
Clinical significance
During colonoscopy, the ileocecal valve is used, along with the appendiceal orifice, in the identification of the cecum. This is important as it indicates that a complete colonoscopy has been performed. The ileocecal valve is typically located on the last fold before entry into the cecum, and can be located from the direction of curvature of the appendiceal orifice, in what is known as the bow and arrow sign.[6]
Intubation of the ileocecal valve is typically performed in colonoscopy to evaluate the distal, or lowest part of the ileum. Small bowel endoscopy can also be performed by double-balloon enteroscopy through intubation of the ileocecal valve.[7]
Tumors of the ileocecal valve are rare, but have been reported in the literature.[8][9]
Additional images
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Ileum, cecum and ascending colon
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Cecum and ileum
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Ileo-cecal valve
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Ileo-cecal valve
References
- ↑ Barret KE. "Lange Gastrointestinal Physiology". The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2006.
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- ↑ Burkitt HG, Young B, Heath JW. Wheater's Functional Histology: a text and colour atlas. Churchill Livingstone, London, 1993.
- ↑ Cotton PB, Williams CB. Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Blackwell Publishers, London, 1996
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External links
- Diagram at amatsu.co.uk
- largeintestine at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (cecuminside)
