Abdominal embryology

Development of the intestinal loop

The cranial limb grows more rapidly than the caudal limb resulting in a 180 degree anticlockwise rotation around the cranial mesenteric artery.

With foetal development, the abdominal cavity expands and the midgut loop returns to the abdomen. Another anti-clockwise rotation occurs, 90 degrees again around the cranial mesenteric artery.

Consequently, the caecum undergoes a 270 degree rotation, moving from its original caudal location to its final position on the right side of the abdomen.