Final answer:
A Meckel's diverticulum results from the incomplete closure of the omphalomesenteric duct during embryonic development. Unlike diverticula related to diverticulosis, it is a congenital condition unrelated to diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Meckel's diverticulum occurs when there is an incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric (vitelline) duct during fetal development. The vitelline duct is a channel connecting the yolk sac to the midgut of the developing fetus. Normally, this duct obliterates and disappears as the fetus grows, typically by the seventh week of gestation. If it does not fully close, a residual pouch remains, creating a Meckel's diverticulum.
This outpouching can become problematic if it leads to complications such as inflammation, obstruction, or bleeding. It should be noted that while having diverticula is related to conditions like diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches in the wall of the large intestine due to factors like low fiber intake, a Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital anomaly stemming from fetal development issues, not dietary factors.