- Function of the Vitelline Duct
- During early development (weeks 4–7), the primitive midgut is connected to the yolk sac by the vitelline duct.
- This connection provides nutrients to the developing embryo before the placental circulation is fully functional.
- Normal Fate of the Vitelline Duct
- By the 7th week of gestation, the vitelline duct normally obliterates and is absorbed into the embryo.
- Failure of Obliteration
- If the duct does not completely regress, remnants can persist, leading to anomalies such as:
- Meckel’s diverticulum (most common).
- Vitelline cyst
- Vitelline fistula (complete patency of the duct).
- Fibrous bands connecting the ileum to the umbilicus.
