Ileocecal valve | |
---|---|
![]() Interior of the cecum and lower end of ascending colon with the ileocecal valve labeled as "colic valve" | |
![]() Endoscopic image of cecum with arrow pointing to ileocecal valve in foreground | |
Details | |
System | Digestive system |
Location | Junction between ileum and cecum |
Artery | Ileocolic artery |
Vein | Ileocolic vein |
Function | Muscular sphincter |
Identifiers | |
Latin | valva ileocaecalis s. papilla ilealis |
MeSH | D007080 |
FMA | 15973 |
Anatomical terminology |
The ileocecal valve (ileal papilla, ileocaecal valve, Tulp's valve, Tulpius valve, Bauhin's valve, ileocecal eminence, valve of Varolius or colic valve) is a sphincter muscle valve that separates the small intestine and the large intestine.[1] Its critical function is to limit the reflux of colonic contents into the ileum.[2] Approximately two liters of fluid enters the colon daily through the ileocecal valve.