Incidence of Meckel's diverticulum in 100 cadavers.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most significant diverticulum occurring in the jejunum or ileum. It is a remnant of an omphalomesenteric or vitelline duct which normally obliterates at about the seventh week of foetal life (Oppenheimer, 1962). For reasons unknown, a remnant of the duct may persist, more or less completely, as a tube or cord arising usually from the ileum 25-90 cm from the ileocaecal valve with or without a distal attachment to the umbilicus (Fig. 1) (Gurd, 1966; Oppenheimer, 1962). It may cause volvulus, strangulation or intussusception (Soderlund, 1959). The incidence of Meckel's diverticulum has been reported as being 2 %, occurring more frequently in men than in women (Martin, 1955; Oppenheimer, 1962; Soderlund, 1959). However, according to a recent study performed in the Departments of Anatomy and Pathology of Tehran University Medical School, the occurrence of Meckel's diverticulum seems to be three times greater than previously reported. The present paper reviews these findings.