Introduction

What three characteristics best describe duplications of the alimentary tract?

Duplications of the alimentary tract make up a group of rare malformations, estimated to occur in 1 per 100,000 births that vary greatly in appearance, size, location and symptoms [1]. First described in 1733 by Calder, Ladd in 1937 introduced the term “duplications of the alimentary tract” to describe a group of congenital anomalies having three characteristics

• presence of a well developed coat of smooth muscle
• epithelial lining representing some portion of the alimentary tract
• intimately attached to some portion of the gastrointestinal tract [2]

Content in this topic is referenced in SCORE Alimentary Tract Duplications overview