omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) appears at the beginning of embryonic life as a long, tubular structure that connects the midgut to the yolk sac
the OMD normally regresses during the 5th-9th weeks of fetal development, leaving a solid cord that runs from the ileum to the umbilicus
if the lumen of the OMD has not completely disappeared at birth, various abnormalities can result including a fistula between the ileum and the umbilicus, an omphalomesenteric duct sinus emerging from the umbilicus and blind ending, a cyst representing a remnant of a patent segment of the OMD, a diverticulum whose enteric portion is patent, that is, Meckel's diverticulum, or an umbilical polyp
approximately two percent of the population may have an OMD remnant, and the commonest variant is an asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum
Reference:
1) Khati NJ et al. Imaging of the umbilicus and periumbilical region. Radiographics 1998;18 (2): 413-431
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