Normal appendix size under B-ultrasound

The appendix is ​​a very small organ in our body. Many people undergo surgery to remove it due to appendicitis, and the removal does not have much impact on their health. When there is a problem with the appendix, it is generally necessary to examine it, that is, to do a B-ultrasound to understand what is going on. What is the normal size of the appendix under B-ultrasound? The penis of an adult is approximately 1.58cm and 4-7mm in diameter. Of course, the specific values ​​are different for each person.

Location of the appendix

The appendix display rate of 31 cadaver specimens was 100%. The root of the appendix was found to be located retrocecally in 27 cases (27/31, 87.1%) and at the tip of the cecum in 4 cases (4/31, 12.9%). The distance from the appendix to the tip of the cecum is mostly concentrated in the range of 1-4 cm, with an average of 2.5 cm and rarely exceeding 4.2 cm.

The shape and size of the appendix

The appendix is ​​1.58cm long and 4-7mm in diameter. The shape of the appendix was divided into: 18 cases (18/31, 58%) were vermiform, 10 cases (10/31, 32.3%) were tubular, and 3 cases (3/31, 9.7%) were short tubular with a blind tube at the distal end. In 18 cases (18/31, 58%), the appendix had uniform diameter, in 13 cases (13/31, 42%), the proximal part was thin and the distal part was thickened, and in 1 case (1/13, 7.7%), the distal part was thickened and dilated like beads. The diameter of the appendix is ​​mostly concentrated in the range of 4.6-5.4 mm, with an average of 5 mm. The maximum length of the appendix of the 31 cadavers in this group was 9 cm, the minimum was 1.7 cm, and the average was 5.2 cm. Among them, 1 case had a length equal to the average, 14 cases had a length less than the average, and 16 cases had a length greater than the average. The frequency of appendix length showed a non-normal distribution and had a large variation.

Course of the appendix

The shape of the appendix is ​​quite complex and is divided into the root of the appendix, the proximal part, and the distal part. The root of the appendix was located on the posterior medial wall of the cecum in 27 cases (27/31, 87.1%), of which the proximal part of the appendix was located in front of the terminal ileum in 14 cases (14/27, 51.9%), behind the terminal ileum in 12 cases (14/31, 44.4%), and under the serosa behind the cecum in 1 case (1/27, 3.7%), running from the lower left to the upper right. In 4 cases (4/31, 12.9%), the root of the appendix was located at the tip of the cecum, of which the proximal part of the appendix was located under the cecum before the terminal ileum in 3 cases and behind the terminal ileum in 1 case. The distal part of the appendix had more variations, with 18 cases (18/31, 58.1%) to the left, 7 cases (7/31, 22.6%) to the right, 3 cases (3/31, 9.6%) to the upper left, 1 case (1/31, 3%) to the upper right, 1 case (1/31, 3%) to the left and folded into an M shape, and 1 case (1/31, 3%) located in the left pelvic cavity.

Appearance of the appendix

The surface was smooth in 26 cases (26/31, 83.9%) and not smooth in 5 cases (5/31, 16.1%). Thirteen cases (13/31, 41.9%) had bright color, 18 cases (18/31, 58.1%) had darker color, of which 3 cases (3/18, 16.7%) were dark red, dirty yellow-green, and dark gray, respectively, and dirty ascites was visible in the abdominal cavity of these three cases; in another 3 cases (3/18, 16.7%), the distal end of the appendix was dark red with bleeding spots. In 24 cases (24/31, 77.4%), the mesoappendix was smooth and stretched, and the appendicular artery was clear. The mesoappendix was thickened, shortened and deformed in 7 cases (7/31, 22.6%).

Understanding Misunderstandings

The appendix is ​​a earthworm-like protrusion at the junction of the ileum and cecum. It sometimes becomes inflamed, which is called appendicitis, and ordinary people call it "appendicitis." In the past, it was believed that the appendix was a section of intestine that had no physiological function and was left over from the process of human evolution. It would become inflamed and cause disease, so it would be removed surgically once it became inflamed. Lauren Martin, a professor of physiology at Oklahoma State University in the United States, pointed out through research that the appendix plays an important role in the fetus and adolescence. Endocrine cells appear in the appendix of the human embryo around the 11th week of development. These endocrine cells of the fetal appendix already produce a variety of bioactive amino and peptide hormones, as well as compounds that contribute to biological control (homeostatic) mechanisms.

Appendicitis is not appendicitis. Because the appendix is ​​close to the cecum, many people confuse appendicitis with appendicitis. In fact, they are two different diseases. Modern medical research has many new insights into the function of the appendix, especially the development of immunology and transplant surgery, which remind clinical surgeons that they should strictly grasp the indications for appendectomy and be more cautious about the accompanying appendectomy.

The appendix contains a large number of lymphocytes, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of enteritis.