Various developmental diverticulitis of the small bowel Various developmental diverticulitis of the small bowel. (A) Vitelline duct sinus. The portion of the vitelline duct attached to the intestine has disappeared as is typical. However, a sinus tract remains opening into the umbilicus. (B) Meckel diverticulum. The umbilical portion of the primitive vitelline duct has disappeared, leaving a diverticulum or outpouching communicating with the normal small intestine. The diverticulum can bleed, become inflamed, rupture, and act as the point from which an intussusception (the upstream intestine moves inside the downstream intestine) can occur. (C) Persistent cord of scar. The vitelline duct can be completely replaced by scar tissue; however, a twist around this band can result in intestinal blockage. (D) Vitelline duct cyst. A fluid-filled, cystic structure may occur when the umbilical and the intestinal ends of the duct disappear, but the central portion remains open. (E) Patent vitelline duct. There may be an opening from the belly button to the intestine that is characterized by passage of gas or drainage from the umbilicus. (F) Prolapse. Occasionally, the intestine may out-pouch through an open vitelline duct. Source: Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Pathology: A Modern Case Study Citation: Reisner HM. Pathology: A Modern Case Study; 2015 Available at: http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/DownloadImage.aspx?image=/data/books/1569/rei_ch9_f022.png&sec=95969867&BookID=1569&ChapterSecID=95969741&imagename= Accessed: October 24, 2017 Copyright © 2017 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved