A Study on Length of Human Appendix in Different Ages

The vermiform appendix is a narrow, vermiform (worm like) tube which arises from the posterior medial caecal wall, approximately 2 cm below the end of the ileum. Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen in young people. Obstruction of the lumen is the dominating factor in acute appendicitis. In appendix lymphoid follicles are absent at birth but accumulate over the first 10 years of life to become a prominent feature of it. But in elderly people, the lymphoid follicles atrophy and are replaced by collagenous tissue, and the appendix may be filled with fibrous scar. The appendix is longest in childhood and gradually shrinks throughout adult life. The present study was undertaken at Gauhati Medical College&Hospital involving the departments of Anatomy and Forensic Medicine. Specimens of appendix were taken from the department of Forensic Medicine before putrefaction of the body. Specimens were collected after due permission / consent from the concerned authority and also from the nearest relatives of the deceased. Appendix of 63 males and 63 females were studied in four age groups as '0 to 20 years', '21 to 35 years', '36 to 50 years'&'51 to 70 years'. The data recorded was analysed statistically using Student's T-test. P value 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Such a study may be useful in establishing a database which may be useful in medical science.