Final answer:
The failure of obliteration of the vitelline duct results in Meckel's diverticulum, a condition that can cause gastrointestinal complications. It is the most common congenital malformation of the GI tract and may require surgical treatment if symptomatic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The failure of obliteration of the vitelline duct leads to a condition known as Meckel's diverticulum, which is a remnant of the duct that can cause complications such as intestinal obstruction, bleeding, and inflammation. Normally, the vitelline duct, which connects the yolk sac to the midgut during embryonic development, obliterates by the 7th week of gestation. If it fails to obliterate, the remnant can form a true diverticulum, which may contain ectopic tissue such as gastric or pancreatic tissue.
This condition is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract and can be asymptomatic or present with various clinical symptoms, potentially requiring surgical intervention if complications occur. Another failure of duct obliteration in fetal development includes conditions like patent ductus arteriosus, where the ductus arteriosus fails to close, leading to cardiac complications.