The Caecum
Definition
It is the pouch like part of the intestine,
At the upper end of which starts the colon
The cecum is an end point for the colon with a dead-end portion terminating with the appendix.
Situation
Situated in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen (right lumbar region and right iliac fossa)
Intraperitoneal
But ascending colon is retroperitoneal
Above the upper border of the ileo caecal orifice it continues as the ascending colon.
Features
The cecum is the proximal blind end (pouch) of the ascending (right) colon
It is a blind cul-de-sac
It is below the level of the ileocecal junction
The terminal ileum opens into the cecum at its medial wall - ileocecal valve.
The appendix is attached to the cecum.
The base of the appendix lies on the posteromedial wall of the cecum 1-2 cm below the ileocecal junction.
Omental appendages (appendices epiploicae)
Taenia coli + (the three longitudinal stripes of aggregated longitudinal smooth muscle fibers)
The terminal ileum enters the caecum on its medial side and the opening is guarded by ileocaecal valve
Blood Supply
The colic branches of the ileocolic artery
Venous drainage into the inferior mesenteric vein through the veins tha accompany the ileocolic artery
Applied Anatomy
Tuberculous / Amoebic infections → ileocaecal mass
Inflammation of the caecum : typhlitis. Amoebic infection → Amoebic Typhlitis
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
