The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

APPENDIX

The appendix is sometimes referred to as the 'abdominal tonsil' because it is composed largely of lymphoid tissue and is very susceptible to infection. It varies greatly in size, the average length being 75 mm. Normally it is a hollow tube lined with mucous membrane, with a muscle wall similar to that of the caecum with which it communicates. Its tip may hang down over the brim of the pelvis to make contact with the bladder, the rectum, or in the female with the ovary, uterine tube or uterus. It may on the other hand, turn upwards behind the caecum pointing out towards the groin-the retro-caecal position. It may lie on the front of the caecum immediately under the anterior abdominal wall.
Research Appendix