An ileostomy is surgically created in the small bowel, the ileum. In most cases the surgeon uses part of the terminal ileum (last section of small bowel) to form the stoma.

The ileum is then passed through a surgical opening in the abdominal wall, everted to form a spout and sutured to the skin. The ileostomy diverts the output of faecal flow and consistency varies, depending on the location of the stoma within the small bowel.

The stoma is red and moist.  There are no nerve endings in the stoma and therefore no sensation.  A drainable pouch is needed to collect the stool.

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