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 caecum slightly below the confluence of the ileum into it. At the same time, its tip is directed downward, inward and backward. It is this position that 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 thirds of the line passing from the navel to the anterior superior iliac spine. This is how experts most often answer the question of where the appendix is.
It is worth noting that the above location, although it is a classic, there are a number of its varieties, which are also not a pathology.
One of the most common non-classical variants of the norm is the pelvic position. At the same time, in the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity, it occurs an order of magnitude more often than in men. If the appendix is located just like that, then its tip will hang freely into the pelvic cavity. It should be remembered that if inflammation of this organ occurs, the clinical picture will be somewhat different from the classical one. The patient will have pain in the lower abdomen, as well as frequent urge to defecate.
Where the appendix is located in a person, sometimes you have to think about when a patient has a high temperature, an increase in the level of leukocytes, 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 go beyond it. At the same time, it is much more difficult to limit the inflammatory process when it occurs. This variant of the normal location of the appendix in many cases greatly complicates the diagnosis of appendicitis.
Another common option for the location of the appendix is the subhepatic. In this case, it is even more difficult than in previous cases to establish where the appendix is located. Photos taken on ultrasound of the abdominal organs make it possible to establish the fact that the appendix, moving away from the caecum, goes up. With this arrangement, inflammation of this organ can lead to the development of a clinical picture very similar to that observed during cholecystitis.
In addition, the tip of the appendix can be hidden 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 inflammation, it will developclinical picture of gastritis. The patient's pain will not be localized in the right iliac region, but in the epigastrium. At the same time, he experiences nausea, sometimes turning into vomiting.
Often, the atypical location of the appendix leads to difficulties in diagnosing inflammation of this organ. It is for this reason that absolutely every doctor should remember about the possible options for finding it. Only in this way will it be possible to carry out rational treatment of appendicitis in time.
