Epiploic appendix
Encyclopedia
The epiploic appendices (or appendices epiploicae, or epiploic appendages, or appendix epiploica, or omental
appendices) are small pouches of the peritoneum
filled with fat
and situated along the colon
and upper part of the rectum
.
They are chiefly appended to the transverse and sigmoid parts of the colon, however, their function is unknown.
The appendages can become inflamed, a benign but painful process known as epiploic appendagitis
which can mimic acute appendicitis
and other conditions.
"Michael Sand et al. : Epiploic appendagitis – clinical characteristics of an uncommon surgical diagnosis BMC Surgery 2007, 7:11 (1 July 2007)".
Greater omentum
The greater omentum is a large fold of parietal peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach...
appendices) are small pouches of the peritoneum
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
filled with fat
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
and situated along the colon
Colon (anatomy)
The colon is the last part of the digestive system in most vertebrates; it extracts water and salt from solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body, and is the site in which flora-aided fermentation of unabsorbed material occurs. Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a...
and upper part of the rectum
Rectum
The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...
.
They are chiefly appended to the transverse and sigmoid parts of the colon, however, their function is unknown.
The appendages can become inflamed, a benign but painful process known as epiploic appendagitis
Epiploic appendagitis
Epiploic appendagitis is an uncommon, benign, self-limiting inflammatory process of the epiploic appendices. Other, older terms for the process include appendicitis epiploica and appendagitis, but these terms are used less now in order to avoid confusion with acute appendicitis.Epiploic appendices...
which can mimic acute appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
and other conditions.
External links
- "Intestines and Pancreas: Large Intestine""Michael Sand et al. : Epiploic appendagitis – clinical characteristics of an uncommon surgical diagnosis BMC Surgery 2007, 7:11 (1 July 2007)".