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Essay / The Anatomy of the Appendix - 3173
Dating back to the Renaissance, many scientists have been particularly interested in the appendix, with the first drawings of the appendix in 1492 and later the first description of the appendix in 1521 (Prystowsky, Pugh and Nagle, 2005). The function of the appendix in adult humans is not yet clear, but it is probably related to the role of lymphoid tissue in immunological processes (Debas, 2004). It was not until 1711 that the first case of appendicitis was reported and later verified during the autopsy of a criminal (Prystowsky, Pugh & Nagle, 2005). In this account, appendicitis was described as a gangrenous appendix with a small perforation. Today, appendicitis is considered an inflammation of its inner wall that has the ability to spread to its other parts. Interestingly, the cause of appendicitis remains unknown, since more than half of appendicitis cases remain elusive, but regardless of the specific details of the specific appendicitis case or the treatment decided, there is a consensus There is universal agreement that the best outcomes for acute appendicitis are associated with early diagnosis. In order to understand the pathophysiology of appendicitis, one must first have a general understanding of the anatomy of the appendix. The appendix arises from the cecum and, like the cecum, includes circular and longitudinal muscular layers (Prystowsky, Pugh, & Nagle, 2005). Additionally, the appendix contains numerous lymphatic follicles in its submucosa. The appendix lies approximately 2.5 cm below the ileocecal valve and is typically 5 to 10 centimeters in length with an average width of 0.5 to 1 centimeter. Although part of the appendix seems to be continuous with the cecum, the rest of the appendix is free, which explains its va...... middle of paper ...... during the Renaissance, Appendicitis is a common disease occurring in 250,000 American patients each year (Prystowsky, Pugh, & Nagle, 2005). Besides its controversial cause, the diagnosis of appendicitis can be tricky. The diagnosis of appendicitis can be made through a physical examination or through imaging techniques, but regardless of how appendicitis is diagnosed, it is still essential that appendicitis is detected early in the course of the disease. . The combination of early diagnosis and surgical treatment promises the expulsion of disease progression before the point of perforation, associated with increased morbidity. However, the diagnosis of appendicitis becomes more difficult in atypical cases, such as those involving the elderly, young children, those with a uniquely placed appendix, or those with complicated medical histories...