plural ilea
ˈi-lē-ə 
: the last division of the small intestine extending between the jejunum and large intestine
Examples of ileum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The stool passes through the ileum into an ostomy pouch that attaches to the stoma outside your body.
—
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Most absorption of vitamin B12 occurs in the ileum, the last and longest section of your small intestine.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2024
Next, the second part of the small intestine, the jejunum, is surgically separated from the first section (the duodenum) and the last section (the ileum).
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 July 2024
The duodenum and the ileum are connected together, bypassing the jejunum.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 July 2024
The diameters of the jejunum and ileum remained stable, maintaining a favorable jejunum-to-ileum ratio, and the strength of the anastomosis improved.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023
Sometimes, the ability of the terminal ileum (the part of the intestine where bile salts are reabsorbed) gets overwhelmed, and bile acids enter the colon, causing diarrhea.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 19 July 2023
The Roux-en-Y operation shortens the intestine, bringing food into the ileum much earlier in the digestive process.
—Bijal P Trivedi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012
The final stretch of small intestine, the ileum, secretes incretins and absorbs more nutrients before emptying into the large intestine for elimination.
—Bijal P Trivedi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012
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Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Most absorption of vitamin B12 occurs in the ileum, the last and longest section of your small intestine.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2024
Next, the second part of the small intestine, the jejunum, is surgically separated from the first section (the duodenum) and the last section (the ileum).
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 July 2024
The duodenum and the ileum are connected together, bypassing the jejunum.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 July 2024
The diameters of the jejunum and ileum remained stable, maintaining a favorable jejunum-to-ileum ratio, and the strength of the anastomosis improved.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023
Sometimes, the ability of the terminal ileum (the part of the intestine where bile salts are reabsorbed) gets overwhelmed, and bile acids enter the colon, causing diarrhea.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 19 July 2023
The Roux-en-Y operation shortens the intestine, bringing food into the ileum much earlier in the digestive process.
—Bijal P Trivedi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012
The final stretch of small intestine, the ileum, secretes incretins and absorbs more nutrients before emptying into the large intestine for elimination.
—Bijal P Trivedi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Ileum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ileum. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
ileum
noun
il·e·um
ˈil-ē-əm
plural ilea
-ē-ə
: the last division of the small intestine that constitutes the part between the jejunum and large intestine and in humans forms the last three fifths of the part of the small intestine beyond the end of the duodenum and that is smaller and thinner-walled than the jejunum with fewer circular folds but more numerous Peyer's patches
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