Meckel' s diverticulum
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Meckel’s diverticulum of a chicken (HE): overview
Meckel’s diverticulum (diverticulum vittelinum) is the remant of the yolk sac that gets infiltrated with lymphoid tissue after the yolk has been absorbed. It thus has two functions: supplying nutrients first days after hatching and acting as a secondary lymphoid organ hereafter.
In chickens, pigeons, ducks and geese, Meckel’s diverticulum persists through life but in most birds it disappears early.