Anatomy
Pouch-like (Latin; caecus – blind), usually (95%) peritoneal, 1st section of large intestine, between ileum (intervening ileo-cecal valve) and ascending colon, both valve and ceco- colic junction arising at upper surface, lower surface blind, appendix arising below and behind ileo-cecal valve (also called vermiform process, thin, 2-20cms, can pass up behind cecum, in/medial/left behind ileum, or down towards pelvis), sits on iliacus and psoas in right inguinal fossa, may be behind greater omentum and/or loops of small intestine.
Ileocecal valve; comprises 2 lips/segments, upper surface – villi like rest of SI, lower – tubular glands like LI; functions as sphincter controlling release into LI, and valve preventing reflux.
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