ileocecal valve

anatomy

Also known as: Bauhin’s valve

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The ileocecal valve is a muscular valve that separates the ileum (the final section of the small intestine) from the cecum (the beginning of the large intestine). It is formed by the circular muscle fibers of both the ileum and the cecum.1

The primary function of the ileocecal valve is to control the flow of digested material from the small intestine into the large intestine. It allows chyme, which is the semi-liquid mass of partially digested food, to pass from the ileum into the cecum. The valve also prevents the backflow of fecal matter from the large intestine into the small intestine. Approximately 1.5 to 2 liters of chyme pass through the ileocecal valve daily.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

valve
…digestive system of mammals the ileocecal valve, controlled by a sphincter muscle, prevents the return of the contents of the small intestine after they have passed into the colon.
Read More
…digestive system of mammals the ileocecal valve, controlled by a sphincter muscle, prevents the return of the contents of the small intestine after they have passed into the colon.
Read More

cecum
…the small intestine) by the ileocecal valve (also called Bauhin valve), which limits the rate of food passage into the cecum and may help prevent material from returning to the small intestine.
Read More
…the small intestine) by the ileocecal valve (also called Bauhin valve), which limits the rate of food passage into the cecum and may help prevent material from returning to the small intestine.
Read More

human digestive system
Anatomy
…into the cecum is the ileocecal valve. The circular muscle fibres of the ileum and those of the cecum combine to form the circular sphincter muscle of the ileocecal valve.
Read More
…into the cecum is the ileocecal valve. The circular muscle fibres of the ileum and those of the cecum combine to form the circular sphincter muscle of the ileocecal valve.
Read More