Overview
In the womb, fetal intestines develop outside of the abdomen for a brief time. Normally, the intestines return to the abdominal cavity and the abdomen is closed at birth.
Review Date 1/31/2017
Updated by: Mary C. Mancini, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.