Frequently Asked Questions

Appendicectomy

• What is Appendix?

  A blind-ended tube connected to a pouch-like structure i.e. cecum is known as Appendix. It develops from the cecum embryologically. The cecum is a structure of the colon that is located at the junction of both intestines (small and large).

• Where is the Appendix located?

  The appendix rests on the junction of the small intestine and large intestine. It is a thin tube of approximately four-inch length. Normally, the appendix is located in the lower right- hand side of the abdomen. Appendicitis pain may initiate in the middle part of the abdomen.

• Why diagnosis of Appendicitis is difficult?

  Diagnosis of appendicitis is difficult since the position of the appendix in the abdomen may vary. The location of the appendix is at the lower right side of the abdomen most of the time. Appendix gets attached to the other structures in the abdomen through a sheet-like membrane structure called the mesentery. A larger mesentery allows the appendix to move around and as a result of this, the appendix keeps moving down to the other organs such as the pelvis and colon. Because of this, inflammation of the appendix looks like the inflammation of other organs. Diagnosis of appendicitis can also be difficult when inflammatory problems resemble it. Right-side diverticulitis is an example of it. Since this is the case, patients with possible appendicitis are commonly kept under observation to distinguish between appendicitis and other conditions.