ileum

[ il-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural il·e·a [il, -ee-, uh].

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.

ileum

/ ˈɪlɪəm /

noun

1. the part of the small intestine between the jejunum and the caecum
2. the corresponding part in insects

ileum

/ ĭl′ē-əm /

, Plural ilea

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

Other Words From

• ile·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ileum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ileum¹

C17: New Latin, from Latin īlium, īleum flank, groin, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

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

Although it can affect the G.I. tract anywhere, it is most frequently found in the terminal ileum.

From New York Times

Exploratory surgery identified the volvulus of ileum, a rare but serious cause of small bowel obstruction.

From Seattle Times

Exploratory surgery identified the volvulus of ileum, a rare but serious cause of small bowel obstruction.

From Washington Times

Culture independent analysis of ileal mucosa reveals a selective increase in invasive Escherichia coli of novel phylogeny relative to depletion of Clostridiales in Crohn’s disease involving the ileum.

From Nature