Introduction ALTHOUGH the existence of the diverticulum of the small intestine was known from the 16th century, Johann Frederich Meckel, a German anatomist and surgeon in 1812, first described the embryology and morphology of the diverticulum which now bears his name. Incomplete obliteration of the embryologic omphalomesenteric duct may lead to the formation of a number of interesting congenital anomalies. The term "Meckel's diverticulum" denotes only that remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct which forms a blind pouch on the distal part of the ileum. It is convenient to include under the common term "Meckel's diverticulum" all other anomalies due to the omphalomesenteric duct. Diseases of Meckel's diverticulum cannot truly be considered as medical curiosities, as the increasing number of reports during the last 25 years clearly proves. Most of these reports have come from hospitals which are exclusively pediatric or largely devoted to the care of adult patients. Remnants of