ECTOPIA CLOACAE - A MISNOMER

The wide variation in the anatomy of the bowel seen in 9 specimens of ectopia cloacae, and in particular, the position of the cecum relative to the bowel openings makes a purely embryologic explanation of the condition unlikely. Prolapse of the developing bowel between the two halves of an exstrophic bladder and its subsequent strangulation gives an adequate explanation of the situation. As a name representing the true etiology of the condition would be rather cumbersome, it is suggested that the term ectopia cloacae" be replaced by the purely descripture one "vesico-intestinal fissure.". © 1969."