The midgut is the portion of the embryo from which most of the intestines develop.

After it bends
around the superior mesenteric artery, it is called the "midgut loop". It comprises the portion of the
alimentary canal from the end of the foregut at the opening of the bile ductto the hindgut, about
two-thirds of the way through the transverse colon.

During development, the human midgut undergoes a rapid phase of growth in which the loop of
midgut herniates outside of the abdominal cavity of the fetus and protrudes into the umbilical
cord. This herniation is physiological (occurs normally).
Later in development, the fetus's body catches up in size relative to the midgut and creates
adequate room in the abdominal cavity for the entirety of the midgut to reside. The midgut loops
slips back out of the umbilical cord and the physiological hernia ceases to exist. This change
coincides with the termination of the yolk sac and the counterclockwise rotation of the two limbs
of the midgut loop around their combined central axis.
Arterial supply to the midgut is from the superior mesenteric artery, an unpaired branch of
the aorta. Venous drainage is to the portal venous system. Lymph from the midgut drains to
prevertebral superior mesenteric nodes located at the origin of the superior mesenteric artery
from the aorta. Portal drainage carries all non-lipid nutrients from digestion to the liverfor
processing and detoxification, while lymphatic drainage carries fatty chyle to the cisterna chyli.
Autonomic innervation of the midgut is from the superior mesenteric plexus.

 Malrotation of the midgut during development can lead to volvulus.

 Pain in the midgut is referred to the region around the belly button
As stated, in development a loop of midgut herniates outside of the abdominal cavity into the
umbilical cord. If this persists after birth it is called an omphalocele. In omphalocele, there is a
defect in the development of the anterior abdominal wall.