diverticulum, Meckel

diverticulum, Meckel An outpouching of the small bowel. About 1 in every 50 people has a Meckel diverticulum. Meckel diverticula are usually located about 2 feet before the junction of the small bowel and the colon (the large intestine) in the lower-right abdomen. Meckel diverticula can become inflamed, ulcerate, and perforate (break open or rupture), which can cause obstruction of the small bowel. Generally Meckel diverticula that are inflamed or perforated are removed via surgery.