From the Research
The cecum is attached to the ileum, the ascending colon, and the appendix, with the ileum connecting to the cecum at the ileocecal valve, as described in the most recent and highest quality study 1. The ileum, which is the final portion of the small intestine, connects to the cecum at the ileocecal valve. The cecum then continues upward to become the ascending colon, forming the beginning of the large intestine. The appendix (or vermiform appendix) is a small, finger-like projection that attaches to the cecum near the ileocecal junction. Anatomically, the cecum is a pouch-like structure located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, as noted in 2. It serves as an important transition point in the digestive tract where material from the small intestine enters the large intestine. The cecum plays a role in water absorption and houses beneficial bacteria that aid in the final stages of digestion, particularly the breakdown of plant materials that weren't digested in the small intestine. Some key points to consider include:
- The ileocecal valve is a critical component of the ileocecal junction, and its anatomy has been studied in detail 3.
- The cecum can be affected by various pathologic conditions, including benign and malignant tumors, inflammatory processes, and infectious diseases 2.
- The evaluation of the ileocecal area using multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) is considered the best imaging examination for the evaluation of this area 2.
- A comprehensive review of the ileocecum has been published, which provides a detailed overview of its anatomy, endoscopic findings, and pathologies 1.