Surgery | Basic Science | Abdominal Viscera: Appendix

Abdominal Viscera: Appendix
Session Overview
Description
This session outlines the anatomy of the appendix in relation to adjacent structures: including the abdominal wall, caecum, terminal ileum and posterior abdominal wall structures. Its blood supply, lymphatic supply and histology are discussed additionally.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Relate the position of the base of the appendix to the caecum
• Describe how to find the appendix by its relationship to colonic taeniae coli
• Explain the origin of the appendicular artery, its course and its relationship to the mesoappendix
• Outline the histology of the appendix and explain how it differs to that of the small intestine

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should (complete):

• The modules on embryology and the small intestine (when available)

Acute appendicitis represents a very common condition. It is probably the commonest acute general surgical condition requiring surgery in the United Kingdom.

Knowledge of the anatomy of the appendix is central to the safe surgical treatment of patients with acute appendicitis. Vermiform means in the form of the long, thin cylindrical shape of a worm!