ABSTRACT
A diverticulum arising from the antimesenteric border of the ileum was first mentioned by Hildanus (1598), and later by Lavater (1672) and Ruysch (1701). Littre described the finding of an ileal diverticulum in a hernia sac (1742). Morgagni suggested it was a congenital remnant (1769). However, it was Johann Friedrich Meckel the younger (both his father and grandfather were anatomists of repute), who fully described the developmental anatomy and the congenital anomaly that went on to bear his name.1
