Caecum

Caecum or cecum is the portion of the large intestine that is also called large bowel. Cecum is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and it receives fecal matter from the ileum. The cecum is a pouch (sac) and is connected to the ascending colon. It roughly measures six centimeters in length and nine centimeters in diameter. It is also connected to the anterior abdominal wall, iliacus muscle, femoral nerve, femoral cutaneous nerve, the appendix, ileocaecal valve, terminal ileum, and inguinal ligament. The cecum is supplied with blood via the ileocolic artery, and superior mesenteric artery. The cecum is amply equipped with lymphatic drainage systems. It is innerved with sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Conditions of the colon also tend to affect the cecum. These include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, colorectal cancer, cecum carcinoma, cecal ulcers, cecal inflammation and many others. People with diabetes tend to have gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy. This condition is characterized by the damage of the autonomic nerves of the gastrointestinal system. It leads to a condition called gastroparesis. Gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy is more common in people with type 1 diabetes and those treated with insulin. Gastroparesis on the other hand is a condition where food is not emptied properly due to the damage of the gastrointestinal nerves leading to poor control of the gastrointestinal muscles. This leads to poor gastric emptying of food through the mouth to cecum. Prolonged mouth to cecum transit time causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, weight loss, and abdominal distention.