ABSTRACT
In 67 human fetuses of the crown-rump length from 58 mm to 285 mm (10 to 28 weeks of fetal age) the variability of the arterial vascularization of the terminal ileum was studied using the injection method. Three main angiomorphological types were distinguished on the basis of the frequency of occurrence of the ileocolic artery and the superior mesenteric artery ramifications and their contribution to vascularization of this part of the alimentary canal. Most frequent was found type I [46.3%] in which arterial supply of the terminal ileum stemmed from the recurrent ileal artery only or from the recurrent ileal artery and the superior recurrent artery. The type II [43.3%] was observed less frequently. In this type the terminal ileum was supplied by the recurrent ileal artery and the ileal branch of the ileocolic artery. In the most seldom type III [10.4%] the terminal ileum was vascularized by the stem of the superior mesenteric artery. The results were compared with those reported by other authors who studied the similar problem in adults.
