Q43: Other congenital malformations of intestine

Q43.0: Meckel diverticulum

The small intestine is the longest section of the digestive tract. Food travels from the stomach to the small intestine. The small intestine leads into the large intestine. The nutrients from food are absorbed in the small intestine.

The intestine develops before birth. An outward connection develops temporarily in unborn babies. In your case, this connection has not completely receded. This means that a bulge on your small intestine has been left behind.

In many cases, this kind of bulge does not produce any symptoms. However, the bulge may become inflamed or bleed. The bulge sometimes makes the intestine close up. If the bowel closes up, then the stool can no longer move through properly. The bulge can cause abdominal pain.