Ileocecal means pertaining to the ileum and the cecum, and where those two parts are joined. The ileum is the last, longest, and narrowest of the three parts that make up the small intestine. The intestine is a tube shaped structure that is part of the digestive tract. The small intestine is a part of the intestine that takes in all of the nutrients (healthy substances) that the body needs.

The ileum is attached on the bottom end to the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs moisture from the matter that is left after it is digested in the small intestine, and excretes the waste from the anus (rear end). Excrete means to release from the body as waste. Ileocecal is also written as ileocaecal. Ileocecal comes from the Latin word "ileum" meaning "intestine," and the Latin word "caecus" meaning "blind." Put the two words together and you have "blind intestine."

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