Cecal

Cecal, or caecal in British English, is the anatomical adjective referring to the cecum, the pouch that forms the beginning of the large intestine in many vertebrates, including humans. The term is used to describe structures, regions, or conditions related to the cecum.

Anatomy and location: In humans, the cecum is a blind-ended sac located in the right lower abdomen, positioned at the junction of the ileum and ascending colon. It receives chyme from the ileum through the ileocecal valve, a control sphincter that regulates flow. The appendix projects from the lower part of the cecum near this junction, and the cecum is supplied by branches of the ileocolic artery.

Function and significance: The cecum has roles in fluid and electrolyte absorption and serves as a site for microbial fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates in some species. In humans, most digestion occurs in the small intestine, with the cecum playing a relatively modest part, while the gut flora there can contribute to fermentation and vitamin production. The cecum also serves as a gateway to the colon, where most water reabsorption takes place.

Clinical notes: The cecum can be involved in various conditions, such as cecal volvulus (twisting of the cecum causing obstruction), inflammatory or infectious processes, and tumors. The vermiform appendix, arising from the cecum, can become inflamed (appendicitis) and affect nearby structures. Knowledge of cecal anatomy is important in imaging and abdominal surgery.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin caecus, meaning blind, reflecting the cecum’s pouch-like, blind-ended shape. The spelling “cecal” is the common modern form in American English.