Where is the appendix?

It would seem that almost everyone knows exactly where the appendix is. In fact, there are several options for its deployment.

The classical location of the appendix suggests its departure from the cecum somewhat below the point of its entry into the ileum. At the same time, its apex is directed downward, inward and posteriorly. This position allows the appendix to project onto the anterior abdominal wall at the so-called McBurney point. It is located on the border of the middle and lower third of the line, passing from the navel to the anterior superior ilium of the ilium. This is the way most experts answer the question about where the appendix is.

It is worth noting that the above mentioned variant of location though it is classical, but there are a number of its varieties, which are also not a pathology.

One of the most common nonclassical variants of the norm is the pelvic position. Moreover, in the representatives of the fair half of humanity it meets an order of magnitude more often than in men. If the appendix location is exactly this, then its apex will hang freely in the cavity of the small pelvis. It should be remembered that if an inflammation of the body arises, the clinical picture will be slightly different from the classical one. The patient will have pain in the lower abdomen, as well as frequent urge to defecate.

About where the appendix is located in a person, sometimes you have to think about when the patient has a high fever, an increase in the level of white blood cells, as well as severe pain in the lumbar region. The fact is that the appendix may well be located not only in the abdominal cavity, but also extend beyond its limits. At the same time, limiting the inflammatory process when it occurs is much more difficult. This version of the normal location of the appendix in many cases significantly complicates the diagnosis of appendicitis.

Another common variant of the location of the appendix is the liver. In this case it is even more difficult, than in the previous cases, to establish where the appendix is. The photos taken on the ultrasound of the abdominal organs allow us to establish the fact that the appendix, moving away from the cecum, goes upward. With this arrangement, the inflammation of this organ can lead to the development of a clinical picture very similar to that observed during cholecystitis.

In addition, the apex of the appendix may hide behind the stomach. In this case, it is even more difficult to determine where the appendix is located. The fact is that with this arrangement, in case of its inflammation, the clinical picture of gastritis will develop. The patient's pain will not be located in the right ileal region, but in the epigastrium. At the same time, he has nausea, sometimes turning into vomiting.

Often atypical location of the appendix leads to difficulties in diagnosing the inflammation of this organ. It is for this reason that every doctor should remember about possible options for finding him. Only in this way will it be possible to conduct rational treatment of appendicitis in time.