Distal part of jejunum

Looks like

The last stretch of the jejunum, blending gradually into the ileum without a sharp border.

What it does

Absorbs remaining nutrients; its folds and vessels gradually change to those of the ileum.

Keeping it well

Mainly a descriptive region. Loops here can become trapped in adhesions after surgery, causing colicky pain and vomiting.

Related conditions

• Acute mesenteric ischaemia (gut stroke)
• Bowel obstruction
• Coeliac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Food poisoning
• Gastroenteritis
• Giardiasis
• Intestinal worms & schistosomiasis
• Intussusception & pyloric stenosis
• Iron deficiency
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lactose & food intolerance
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Necrotising enterocolitis
• Radiation injury
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Typhoid & cholera
• Volvulus (twisted bowel)