Hare-lip, cleft palate, hernia and imperforate anus are physical
abnormalities which are interesting to the surgeon rather than to the
pathologist. The oesophagus may be the seat of a diverticulum, or blind
pouch, usually situated in its lower half, which in most instances is
probably partly acquired and partly congenital; a local weakness
succumbing to pressure. Hypertrophy of the muscular coat of the pyloric
region is an infrequent congenital gastric anomaly in infants,
preventing the passage of food into the bowel, and causing death in a
short time. Incomplete closure of the vitelline duct results in the
presence of a diverticulum--Meckel's--generally connected with the
ileum, mainly important by reason of the readiness with which it
occasions intestinal obstruction. Idiopathic congenital dilatation of
the colon has been described.