Caecum & Appendix

Caecum

The caecum is a pouch of bowel and is the first part of the large intestine. It is located on the peritoneal floor of the right iliac fossa. The caecum receives chyme from the ileum from which it is separated by the ileocaecal valve. The ileocaecal valve prevents reflux of intestinal contents into the ileum.

It is also separated from the colon by the caecocolic junction. The caecum is intraperitoneal whilst the ascending colon is retroperitoneal. The appendix is attached to the caecum

Relations

It is important to be aware of the close posterior relations that may become irritated due to inflammation and spread of infection when the caecum/appendix become inflamed. These are:

• Psoas and iliacus muscles
• Femoral nerve and lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh