THE CiECUM 



423 



somewhat like a comma. It is situated chiefly to the right of the median plane, 

 extending from the right iliac and sublumbar regions to the abdominal floor behind 

 the xiphoid cartilage. Both extremities are blind, and the two orifices are placed 

 close together on the concave curvature. It presents for description a base, a body, 

 and an apex. The base (Basis casci s. Saccus ca>cus) extends forward on the right 

 side as far as the fourteenth or fifteenth rib, about a handbreadth below its middle, 

 and backward to the tuber coxae.^ It is strongly curved, the greater curvature 

 being dorsal, the lesser ventral; connected with the latter are the termination of 

 the ileum and the origin of the colon. The rounded blind end is directed ventrally. 

 The body (Corpus csci) extends downward and forward from the base and rests 

 largely on the ventral wall of the abdomen. Its lesser curvature is about parallel 



Fig. 362. — C^cum of Horse; Left View. 

 B. c, Base; C. c, body; A. c, apex; I, ileum; 1, 2, longitudinal bands; 3, ileo-csecal fold, 

 lymph glands have been removed to expose the medial band (1). 



The CEBcal vessels and 



with the costal arch and some five to six inches (10 to 15 cm.) ventral to it. The 

 apex (Apex cseci) lies on the abdominal floor, usually to the right of the median 

 plane, and about a hand's length behind the xiphoid cartilage. 



The right or parietal surface of the caecum is related chiefly to the right ab- 

 dominal wall, the diaphragm, duodenum, and liver. The left or visceral surface lies 

 against the left and terminal parts of the colon, the root of the great mesentery, 

 and the small intestine. 



The base is attached dorsally by connective tissue and peritoneum on the 

 ventral surface of the pancrea? and right kidney, and a small area of the abdominal 

 wall behind these; it is attached medially to the terminal part of the great colon, 

 and ventrally to the origin of the great colon. The body is attached dorso-laterally 



' The forward extent of the base of the caecum is subject to some variation, 

 noted that the blind end is not the mcst anterior part. 



It may be 



