Incomplete fixation of the colon ascendens and an unusually located peritoneal fold together with direct inguinal hernia.

During abdominal dissection of a male cadaver, aged 60 years at death, a peritoneal fold formed by mesentery of the terminal ileum and attached to the anterior wall was encountered in the abdominal cavity. Distal part of the terminal ileum, cecum, and colon ascendens were herniated from the medial inguinal fossa. The unusually located peritoneal fold was interpreted as a predisposing factor for the accompanying direct inguinal hernia. The subject is discussed in terms of embryonic development of the midgut.