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Affixes

ile(o)-

The ileum.

Medieval Latin ileum, a variant of ilium, a flank or side, perhaps by confusion with ileus, colic.

The ileum is the lowest of the three portions of the small intestine. Ileitis is inflammation of the ileum; ileocolitis is inflammation of the ileum and the colon; ileostomy (Greek stoma, mouth) is a surgical operation in which a damaged part is removed and the cut end diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall. Several adjectives refer to the ileum plus another part of the body: ileocaecal (US ileocecal), ileum plus caecum; ileoanal, ileum plus anus; ileorectal, ileum plus rectum.