The cecum and appendix

Question 1

what is the cecum and appendix part of?

Answer 1

the gastrointestinal tract

Question 2

where is the cecum and appendix located?

Answer 2

They are the most proximal part of the large intestine, located between the ileum (distal small bowel) and the ascending colon

Question 3

what was the function of the cecum?

Answer 3

Having served as a site for cellulose digestion in our ancestors

Question 4

what does the cecum now act as?

Answer 4

the cecum now simply acts as a reservoir for chyme which it receives from the ileum

Question 5

what is chyme?

Answer 5

mass of partly digested food that is expelled by the stomach

Question 6

what is the function of the appendix and what does it contain?

Answer 6

The appendix contains a large amount of lymphoid tissue, but has no vital functions in the human

Question 7

what is the cecum? where can it be found?

Answer 7

the most proximal part of the large intestine and can be found in the right iliac fossa and suprapubic region

Question 8

where does the cecum lie in relation to the iliocaecal junction?

Answer 8

It lies slightly inferior to the iliocaecal junction

Question 9

where can the cecum be palpated? when can it be palpated?

Answer 9

in the right iliac fossa if enlarged due to faeces, gas or malignancy

Question 10

what happens at the cecum inferiorly?

Answer 10

is a blind end

Question 11

what happens at the cecum superiorly?

Answer 11

the open end of the cecum is continuous with the ascending colon

Question 12

where is the cecum? what is it unlike?

Answer 12

Unlike the ascending colon above it, the cecum is intraperitoneal

Question 13

what is the appendix also known as?

Answer 13

the vermiform (worm-shaped)

Question 14

what is the appendix

Answer 14

appendix is a narrow, blind ended tube attached to the posteromedial end of the cecum

Question 15

how is the position of the free-end of the appendix?

Answer 15

The position of the free-end of the appendix is highly variable, and can be categorised into seven main locations

Question 16

what is the most common positions of the free-end of the appendix?

Answer 16

The most common positions are retrocaecal and subileal

Question 17

what is a simple way to remember the positions of the appendix?

Answer 17

as the hour hand of a clock

Question 18

what is the pre-ileal position of the appendix? where is it at?

Answer 18

Anterior to the terminal ileum – 1 o’clock

Question 19

what is the post-ileal position of the appendix? where is it at?

Answer 19

Posterior to the terminal ileum – 2 o’clock

Question 20

what is the sub-ileal position of the appendix? where is it at?

Answer 20

Parallel with the terminal ileum – 3 o’clock

Question 21

what is the pelvic position of the appendix? where is it at?

Answer 21

Pelvic – Descending over the pelvic brim – 5 o’clock

Question 22

what is the sub-caecal position of the appendix? where is it?

Answer 22

Below the cecum – 6 o’clock

Question 23

what is the paracaecal position of the appendix? where is it?

Answer 23

Alongside the lateral border of the cecum – 10 o’clock

Question 24

what is the retrocaecal position of the appendix? where is it?

Answer 24

Retrocaecal – Behind the cecum – 11 o’clock

Question 25

where is the cecum derived from embryologically?

Answer 25

The cecum is derived from the embryologic midgut

Question 26

where is the blood supply of the cecum from?

Answer 26

by a branch of the superior mesenteric artery

Question 27

which branch of the superior mesenteric artery supplies the cecum?

Answer 27

ileocolic artery

Question 28

what happens to the ileocolic artery in order to supply the cecum?

Answer 28

splits into anterior and posterior caecal arteries to supply the cecum

Question 29

where does the venous drainage for the cecum come from?

Answer 29

ileocolic vein

Question 30

where does the ileocolic vein drain into?

Answer 30

superior mesenteric vein

Question 31

where does the appendix receives its blood supply via?

Answer 31

appendicular artery

Question 32

where is the appendicular artery derived from?

Answer 32

ileocolic artery

Question 33

what does the appendix drain through?

Answer 33

appendicular vein

Question 34

where is the appendicular artery and vein contained? what are they contained with?

Answer 34

Both are contained, along with lymphatic vessels and nerves, within the mesoappendix

Question 35

what is the mesoappendix?

Answer 35

a fold of mesentery which suspends the appendix from the terminal ileum

Question 36

what innervates the cecum and appendix?

Answer 36

The autonomic nervous system

Question 37

how does the ANS innervate the cecum and appendix?

Answer 37

by means of the ileocolic branch of the superior mesenteric plexus

Question 38

what course of travel does the ileocolic branch of the superiro mesenteric plexus follow?

Answer 38

the same course as the ileocolic artery

Question 39

where does lymph from the cecum and appendix drain into?

Answer 39

ultimately drains into the upper and lower ileocolic lymph nodes, which surround the ileocolic artery

Question 40

what does upper and lower ileocolic lymph nodes surround?

Answer 40

ileocolic artery

Question 41

where does lymph from the cecum travel via?

Answer 41

lymph from the cecum travels via a number of intermediate mesenteric nodes

Question 42

where does lymph from the appendix travel?

Answer 42

via a single intermediate node in the mesoappendix.