Ileocecal valve 3967249 195436615 2008-03-02T23:55:02Z PipepBot 4984067 robot Modifying: [[de:Ileozäkalklappe]] {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = valva ileocaecalis | GraySubject = 249 | GrayPage = 1179 | Image = Gray1075.png | Caption = Interior of the [[cecum]] and lower end of [[ascending colon]], showing colic valve. ("Colic valve" is an older term for the ileocecal valve.) | Image2 = Ileocecal valve.jpg | Caption2 = [[Colonoscopy|Endoscopic]] image of [[cecum]] with arrow pointing to '''ileocecal valve''' in foreground. | Precursor = | System = | Artery = [[ileocolic artery]] | Vein = [[ileocolic vein]] | Nerve = | Lymph = | MeshName = Ileocecal+valve | MeshNumber = A03.556.124.684.249.400 | DorlandsPre = v_02 | DorlandsSuf = 12843921| }} The '''ileocecal valve''' is a [[sphincter muscle]] situated at the junction of the [[small intestine]] (ileum) and the [[large intestine]]. It regulates the flow of [[chyme]] into the bowels.<ref>[http://www.medfriendly.com/ileocecalvalve.html Medfriendly definition of ileocecal valve]</ref> Functionally, roughly two litres of fluid enters the colon daily through the ileocecal valve. ==Histology== The [[histology]] of the ileocecal valve shows an abrupt change in the [[villous]] pattern which is found in small intestinal mucosa, to the [[gland]]ular pattern found in colonic mucosa. At the ileocecal valve, there is also thickening of the [[muscularis mucosa]], which is the [[smooth muscle]] tissue found beneath the mucosal layer of the [[digestive tract]]. There is also a variable amount of [[lymphatic tissue]] found at the valve.<ref>Burkitt HG, Young B, Heath JW. ''Wheater's Functional Histology'': a text and colour atlas. Churchill Livingstone, London, 1993.</ref> ==Clinical significance== During [[colonoscopy]], the ileocecal valve is used, along with the [[appendix|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]].<ref>Cotton PB, Williams CB. ''Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy'' Blackwell Publishers, London, 1996</ref> 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.<ref>Ross AS, Waxman I, Semrad C, Dye C. Balloon-assisted intubation of the ileocecal valve to facilitate retrograde double-balloon enteroscopy. ''Gastrointest Endosc.'' 2005 Dec;62(6):987-8. PMID 16301054</ref> ==Pathology== [[Tumour]]s of the ileocecal valve are rare, but have been reported in the literature.<ref>Yoruk G, Aksoz K, Buyrac Z, Unsal B, Nazli O, Ekinci N. Adenocarcinoma of the ileocecal valve: report of a case. ''Turk J Gastroenterol.'' 2004 Dec;15(4):268-9. PMID 16249985</ref><ref>Song HJ, Ko BM, Cheon YK, Ryu CB, Lee JS, Lee MS, Shim CS. Isolated ileocecal lymphoma. ''Gastrointest Endosc.'' 2005 Feb;61(2):293-4. PMID 15729248</ref> ==Etymology== It was discovered by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] physician [[Nicolaes Tulp]] (1593-1674), and thus it is sometimes known as '''Tulp's valve'''. ==References== <div class="references-small"><references /></div> ==External links== * [http://www.amatsu.co.uk/images/assn/ileoceal.jpg Diagram at amatsu.co.uk] * {{NormanAnatomy|largeintestine}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|cecuminside}}) {{Digestive tract}} [[Category:digestive system]] [[Category:Gastroenterology]] [[de:Ileozäkalklappe]] [[nl:Klep van Bauhin]] [[ja:回盲弁]] [[pl:Zastawka krętniczo-kątnicza]]