What is the caecum and where is it located?

The caecum is the blind sac at the start of the large intestine. It is situated in the right iliac fossa, above the lateral half of the inguinal ligament, within a triangular area defined by anatomical planes.

What are the main connections of the caecum?

The caecum connects superiorly to the ascending colon, medially to the ileum at the ileocaecal junction, and posteromedially gives rise to the vermiform appendix.

What are the typical dimensions of the caecum?

The caecum is approximately 6 cm long and 7.5 cm wide, making it wider than it is long, similar to some other organs like the prostate and thyroid isthmus.

What structures are located posterior to the caecum?

Posteriorly, the caecum relates to structures such as the right psoas major and iliacus muscles, right gonadal vessels, nerves like the lateral cutaneous nerve, and the retrocaecal recess that often contains the appendix.

How is the caecum supplied with blood and nerves?

The caecum receives arterial supply from the anterior and posterior caecal branches of the ileocolic artery. Its nerve supply includes sympathetic fibers from T11–L1 and parasympathetic fibers from the vagus nerve.

What is the clinical significance of the caecum in bowel obstruction?

In imaging, a distended caecum suggests large bowel obstruction, while a collapsed caecum indicates small bowel obstruction. Failure of the ileocaecal sphincter to relax can lead to caecal distension and potential rupture.

What are the peritoneal relations of the caecum?

The caecum is completely peritonealized in 90% of people, often with recesses like the retrocaecal recess. In 10%, it has partial posterior coverage, and it may be mobile with a mesentery in 20%, more commonly in females.

Cecum – Anatomy, Relations & Ileocecal Valve

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