Ileum facts for kids

The ileum is the last part of your small intestine. It's a long, winding tube that helps your body finish digesting food and absorb important nutrients. In humans, it's usually about 2 to 4 meters long!

What is the Ileum?

The ileum is a very important part of your digestive system. It's the final section of the small intestine, which is where most of your food is broken down and absorbed. Think of it as the last stop for nutrients before they travel to the rest of your body.

Where is the Ileum Located?

Your small intestine is made up of three main parts: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The ileum comes after the jejunum. It connects to the large intestine (or colon) at a special spot called the ileocecal junction. This junction acts like a one-way valve, letting digested food pass into the large intestine but stopping it from flowing back.

What Does the Ileum Do?

The main job of the ileum is to absorb things your body needs. While the other parts of the small intestine absorb most nutrients, the ileum is especially good at absorbing:

• Vitamin B12: This vitamin is super important for making red blood cells and keeping your nerves healthy.
• Bile salts: These are chemicals made by your liver that help you digest fats. The ileum reabsorbs them so your body can use them again.
• Any remaining nutrients: It also absorbs any other nutrients that weren't fully absorbed in the duodenum or jejunum.

How Does Absorption Happen?

The inside of your ileum isn't smooth. It has tiny, finger-like bumps called villi (say: VILL-eye). These villi are covered in even tinier structures called microvilli. All these folds and bumps give the ileum a huge surface area, like a giant sponge, which helps it absorb nutrients much more efficiently.

Special Cells in the Ileum

The wall of the ileum contains different types of cells that help it do its job:

• Enterocytes: These are the main cells that line the villi. They are responsible for absorbing nutrients from your digested food.
• Goblet cells: These cells produce mucus, a slippery substance that protects the lining of the ileum and helps food move smoothly through.
• Peyer's patches: These are special groups of immune cells found in the wall of the ileum. They are like tiny security guards that help protect your body from harmful bacteria and other germs that might be in your food. They are an important part of your immune system.

Images for kids

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  Ileocecal junction (the end of the ileum is shown in brown)

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  Goblet cells (the clear, oval shapes) in the wall of an ileum villus. Next to them are enterocytes.

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  A cross section of the ileum showing a Peyer's patch (circled).

See also

In Spanish: Íleon para niños