ile-, ileo-

(Greek > Latin: groin, flank, lower part of the body; gut, bowels, abdomen, loins)

A combining form that denotes the ileum or the lower section of the small intestine.

From Greek eileos, verbal of eilein, to roll or twist up tightly; once used interchangeably with ilium, but later referred to the entire intestine; the last division of the small intestine.

gastroileostomy
ileocecal
ileocecostomy
ileocecum
ileocolic
ileocolitis
ileocolonic
ileocolotomy
ileocutaneous
ileopathy (s) (noun), ileopathies (pl)
A disease of the digestive tract: Mrs. Robinson went to see her doctor on a regular basis to make sure that she there was no condition of ileopathyany in her intestines.
ileostomy
ileotomy
ileum
The lowest part of the small intestine, located beyond the duodenum and jejunum, just before the large intestine (the colon). Pronounced: "ILL-ee-uhm" in the U.S. and "EYE-lee-uhm" in the U.K.

The word ileum is derived from the Greek eileos, "twisted". This is appropriate because, when the small intestine is viewed during surgery or at an autopsy (or exposed by a wound), it looks twisted.

It is also applicable because, when the small intestine is obstructed, the ileum is more often the site of the twist which is causing the obstruction.

This ileum should not be confused with the ilium which refers to the "upper part of the pelvis" that forms the receptacle for the head of the femur at the hip joint.

laparoileotomy
Laparatomy with incision of the ileum.