Abstract
Vermiform appendix is a blind-ending tubular structure, arises from the posteromedial aspect the cecum inferior to the ileocecal junction. It has a thick wall and narrow lumen due to presence of large lymphoid follicles within its wall. Appendicitis is the most common clinical condition of vermiform appendix, caused by obstruction of the lumen. The causes of the obstruction include lymphoid hyperplasia secondary to irritable bowel disease (IBD) or infections (more common during childhood and in young adults), fecal stasis and fecaliths (more common in elderly patients), parasites (especially in Eastern countries), or, more rarely, foreign bodies and neoplasms. This study was done to find out the wall thickness and luminal diameter of the vermiform appendix in Bangladeshi people to magnify the knowledge regarding the diverse anatomy of vermiform appendix in our population. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with some analytical components performed on 60 (sixty) cadaveric vermiform appendices of Bangladeshi people of different ages in the department of Anatomy, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, from January 2008 to June 2009. For convenience of differentiating the wall thickness and luminal diameter of vermiform appendix in relation to different age, the collected samples were divided into five groups (group A-0 to 20 years, group B-21 to 30 years, group C-31 to 40 years, group D-41 to 50 years and group E->50 years). From each age group, six (6) fresh samples were selected for histological study. From each vermiform appendix three slides were prepared each from its base, middle part and near the tip and were stained with routine H & E stain. The wall thickness and luminal diameter was measured through micrometry. In the present study, average wall thickness of the vermiform appendix ranged from 2.25 mm to 3.10 mm. The average wall thickness was highest in group A (2.53±0.01 mm), which gradually decreased through group B, C, D and the lowest value was in group E (2.26±0.07 mm). Average luminal diameter ranged from 1.90 mm to 2.96 mm. Average luminal diameter was lowest in group A (2.04±0.45 mm) and highest in group D (2.68±0.57 mm). In group E, the value (2.32±0.98 mm) was higher than that of group D. There was negative correlation between age and average wall thickness, and positive correlation between age and average luminal diameter, both of which reached the level of significance (p<0.001***).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have