Cecum
The cecum or caecum is a pouch within the peritoneum that is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It is typically located on the right side of the body (the same side of the body as the appendix, to which it is joined). The word cecum (/ˈsiːkəm/, plural ceca /ˈsiːkə/) stems from the Latin caecus meaning blind.
| Cecum | |
|---|---|
The cecum, here in red, lies at the start of the large intestines, which are shown with the rest of the human gastrointestinal tract in this image. | |
Superior ileocecal fossa (cecum labeled at bottom left) | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Midgut |
| Part of | Large intestine |
| System | Gastrointestinal |
| Location | Lower right part of the abdomen. |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | caecum |
| MeSH | D002432 |
| TA98 | A05.7.02.001 |
| TA2 | 2970 |
| FMA | 14541 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
It receives chyme from the ileum, and connects to the ascending colon of the large intestine. It is separated from the ileum by the ileocecal valve (ICV) or Bauhin's valve. It is also separated from the colon by the cecocolic junction. While the cecum is usually intraperitoneal, the ascending colon is retroperitoneal.
In herbivores, the cecum stores food material where bacteria are able to break down the cellulose. In humans, the cecum is involved in absorption of salts and electrolytes and lubricates the solid waste that passes into the large intestine.