ileum

[il-ee-uh m] /ˈɪl i əm/
noun, plural ilea
[il-ee-uh] /ˈɪl i ə/ (Show IPA)
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.
Origin
1675-85; < Neo-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
Related forms
ileal, adjective
Can be confused
ileum, ilium, Ilium.
Examples from the web for ileum
  • They are usually from twelve to fifteen in number, and are distributed to the jejunum and ileum.
  • The small intestine is divisible into three portions: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.
British Dictionary definitions for ileum

ileum

/ˈɪlɪəm/
noun
1.
the part of the small intestine between the jejunum and the caecum
2.
the corresponding part in insects
Word Origin
C17: New Latin, from Latin īlium, īleum flank, groin, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for ileum
n.

lowest part of the small intestine, 1680s, medical Latin, from ileum, singular created from classical Latin plural ilia "groin, flank," in classical Latin, "belly, the abdomen below the ribs," poetically, "entrails, guts." Sense restriction and form apparently from confusion with Greek eileos (see ileus). Earlier in English ylioun (late 14c.), from Medieval Latin ileon. Related: Ileitis.

ileum in Medicine

ileum il·e·um (ĭl'ē-əm)
n. pl. il·e·a (-ē-ə)
The third and terminal portion of the small intestine, extending from the jejunum to the cecum.

ileum in Science
ileum
  (ĭl'ē-əm)   
Plural ilea
The lower part of the small intestine, connecting the jejunum to the cecum of the large intestine.

ileal adjective