A person with Meckel's diverticulum has a finger-like pouch that forms in the wall of the small intestine. Meckel's diverticulum occurs in the section of the small intestine, called the ileum.

Meckel's usually occurs in only 2% of the population. Some people with Meckel's diverticulum develop gastrointestinal bleeding. A small number of persons with develop abdominal pain that is similar to appendicitis.