Cecum
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211584133
2008-05-11T02:46:36Z
Razorflame
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/75.211.13.225|75.211.13.225]] ([[User talk:75.211.13.225|talk]]) to last version by 24.91.178.77
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = Cecum |
Latin = |
GraySubject = 249 |
GrayPage = 1177 |
Image = Stomach colon rectum diagram.svg |
Caption = |
Image2 = Gray1043.png |
Caption2 = Superior ileocecal fossa. (Cecum labeled at bottom left.) |
System = |
Precursor = [[Midgut]] |
MeshName = Cecum |
MeshNumber = A03.556.124.526.209 |
DorlandsPre = c_01 |
DorlandsSuf = 12204134 |
}}
The '''cecum''' or '''caecum''' (from the [[Latin]] ''[[wikt:caecus|caecus]]'' meaning [[blind]]) is a pouch connected to the [[ascending colon]] of the [[large intestine]] and the [[ileum]]. It is separated from the ileum by the [[ileocecal valve]] (ICV) or Bauhin's valve, and is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It is also separated from the [[colon (anatomy)|colon]] by the [[cecocolic junction]].
==Variation across species==
The cecum is present in [[mammal]]s, and two ceca are present in most [[bird]]s (and some [[reptile]]s).
Most [[herbivore]]s have a relatively large cecum, hosting a large number of [[bacterium|bacteria]], which aid in the [[enzyme|enzymatic]] breakdown of plant materials such as [[cellulose]].
Exclusive [[carnivore]]s, whose diets contain little or no plant material, have a reduced cecum; often partially or wholly replaced by the [[vermiform appendix]].
==Etymology==
The term cecum comes from the Latin, meaning blind gut or [[cul de sac]].
In [[dissection]]s by the [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[greek philosophy|philosophers]], the connection between the [[ileum]] of the [[small intestines]] and the cecum was not fully understood. Most of the studies of the [[Gastrointestinal tract|digestive tract]] were done on animals and the results were compared to human [[human anatomy|structures]].
The junction between the small intestines and the colon, called the ileocecal valve, is so small in some animals that it was not considered to be a connection between the small and large intestines. During a dissection, the colon could be traced from the [[rectum]], to the [[sigmoid colon]], through the [[descending colon|descending]], [[transverse colon|transverse]], and [[ascending colon|ascending]] sections. The colon seemed to dead-end into the cecum, or cul-de-sac.
However, the connection between the end of the small intestines, ileum, and the start of the colon, cecum are now clearly understood, but the name has not changed.
==See also==
* [[McBurney's point]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:McBurney's point.jpg|Location of McBurney's point (#1)
Image:Gray534.png|The superior mesenteric artery and its branches.
Image:Gray536.png|Arteries of cecum and vermiform process.
Image:Gray1044.png|Inferior ileocecal fossa.
Image:Gray1075.png|Interior of the cecum and lower end of ascending colon, showing colic valve.
Image:Gray1224.png|Topography of thoracic and abdominal viscera.
Image:Ileocecal valve.jpg|[[Colonoscopy|Endoscopic]] image of cecum with arrow pointing to [[ileocecal valve]] in foreground.
</gallery>
==External links==
* [http://learning.mgccc.cc.ms.us/science/cat/sld021.htm Photo at mgccc.cc.ms.us]
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|37|03|08}} - "Abdominal organs in situ."
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|37|06|09}} - "The larger intestine."
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|39|05|09}} - "The cecum with the distal portion of the ileum."
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|39|14|01|01}} - "Incisions of the Cecum"
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-2}}
* [http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/13/e12/DC1 Video clip of worms in the Cecum]
{{digestive_system}}
[[Category:Digestive system]]
[[cs:Slepé střevo]]
[[da:Blindtarm]]
[[de:Blinddarm]]
[[dv:ސީކަމް]]
[[es:Ciego (anatomía)]]
[[eo:Cekumo]]
[[fr:Cæcum]]
[[id:Usus buntu]]
[[it:Cieco (anatomia)]]
[[jv:Usus buntu]]
[[la:Caecum]]
[[lt:Akloji žarna]]
[[nl:Blindedarm]]
[[no:Blindtarm]]
[[pl:Jelito ślepe]]
[[pt:Ceco]]
[[ru:Слепая кишка]]
[[simple:Cecum]]
[[sk:Slepé črevo]]
[[sl:Slepo črevo]]
[[fi:Umpisuoli]]
[[sv:Blindtarm]]
[[zh:盲肠]]