Comparative anatomy and phylogenetic distribution of the mammalian cecal appendix

Smith, Heather F.; Fisher, Rebecca E.; Everett, Mary Lou; Thomas, Anitra D.; Bollinger, R. Randal; Parker, William

doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01809.x

Cited by 103 publications

(144 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The appendix is absent in some primates (Scott 1980). Recent studies shown, that in animals lacking an appendix the terminal part of the cecum is rich in lymphoid tissue (Smith et al 2009;Mala 2003). In many primates and mammals the appendix is much more open and sack-shaped.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Atypical localization of myenteric ganglia in the human appendical wall: a comparative study with animal appendix

Kubíková¹,

Sivakova²,

Perzelova³

2014

Biologia

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The presence of well developed appendices in some animals when compared to humans has led to speculation that appendix is a vestigial organ. Increasing number of studies have revealed that the appendix serves as an important organ in humans. The function of animal appendix, and the differences between species remain poorly understood. In this study we examined human myenteric plexus and compared them with animal studies. Appendices were obtained from five young adults in which the appendix was found to be normal after removal. Fixed appendix cryosections were examined by immunofluorescence methods using neuronal marker antibodies to neurofilaments and beta III tubulin. Both antibodies stained myenteric ganglia which were arranged in an apparently irregular pattern in human appendix wall. We observed unexpected localization of myenteric ganglia in the subserosa often accompanied by rarely occurring ganglia in the longitudinal muscle layer. These ganglia were of different sizes and shapes and unequally distributed under a thin layer of serosa. Our findings raise many questions about the possible role of irregular and atypical myenteric ganglia localization in relation to altered motility and subsequent pathogenesis of the appendix in inflammatory disease in humans. On the other hand, studies of the literature have revealed simplicity in the organization of myenteric plexus, e.g., in well-developed rabbit appendix. In addition, appendicitis in animals is restricted to in apes with similarly shaped appendix to humans.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies have dealt with primate and mammals appendices (Scott 1980;Fisher 2000;Smith et al 2009). However, the greatest attention has been focused on well-developed rabbit appendix (e.g., Pospisil & Mage 1998;Dasso et al 2000;Hanson & Lanning 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atypical localization of myenteric ganglia in the human appendical wall: a comparative study with animal appendix

Kubíková¹,

Sivakova²,

Perzelova³

2014

Biologia

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“…The vermiform appendix measures a mean of 11 cm and the tip is most commonly retrocecal (74%) though the remainder have a variable location 8 .…”

Section: Important Anatomical Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging of Ischemia, Obstruction and Infection in the Abdomen

Murphy¹,

Twomey²,

McLaughlin³

et al. 2015

Radiologic Clinics of North America

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“…In animals, appendicitis has been described only in anthropoid apes (7) with characteristically narrow worm-shaped appendix. On the other hand, in many primates and mammals, the appendix is much more open and sack-shaped (8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological aspects of appendix pathology: irregular distribution of myenteric ganglia in human appendiceal wall

Kubíková¹,

Sivakova²,

Perzelova³

et al. 2015

BLL

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OBJECTIVES: Although appendicitis is a common disease, basic questions about risk factors and its etiology remain unexplained. BACKGROUND: An obstruction of the appendix lumen is usually considered to be the main cause of acute appendicitis. However, more studies are currently dealing with neuroimmune appendicitis. METHODS: We studied samples of human appendices with the histological diagnosis of chronic appendicitis. Fixed cryosections of appendiceal walls were examined by immunofl uorescence methods using neuronal antineurofi lament antibody markers and beta III tubulin. RESULTS: The immunostaining revealed an irregular distribution of myenteric ganglia in infl amed appendiceal walls and unexpected groups of large ganglia unequally distributed in the subserosal area. The comparative analysis of normal and infl amed appendix samples showed differences in the occurrence of myenteric ganglia in the subserosal area. They appeared more frequently on cryosections prepared from the infl amed appendiceal wall. CONCLUSION: We propose that the high variability and irregular location of myenteric ganglia in the appendiceal wall are due to an alteration in the motility which results in fl accid appendix emptying. In addition, superfi cially located myenteric ganglia are exposed to abdominal irritation and may explain the chronic abdominal pain which is often considered to be a sign of chronic appendicitis (Fig. 2, Ref. 23). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

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Comparative anatomy and phylogenetic distribution of the mammalian cecal appendix

Cited by 103 publications

References 56 publications

Atypical localization of myenteric ganglia in the human appendical wall: a comparative study with animal appendix

Atypical localization of myenteric ganglia in the human appendical wall: a comparative study with animal appendix

Imaging of Ischemia, Obstruction and Infection in the Abdomen

Biological aspects of appendix pathology: irregular distribution of myenteric ganglia in human appendiceal wall

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