vermiform appendix

appendix

 [ah-pen´diks] (pl. appen´dices, appendixes) (L.)

1. a slender outgrowth or appendage.

2. a small appendage near the juncture of the small intestine and the large intestine (ileocecal valve). An apparently useless structure, it can be the source of a serious illness, appendicitis. Called also vermiform appendix. adj., adj appendic´eal.

vermiform appendix appendix (def. 2).

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

ap·pen·dix

, gen.

ap·pen·di·cis

, pl.

ap·pen·di·ces

,

ap·pen·dix·es

(ă-pen'diks, -di-sis, -di-sēs, -dik-sĕz),

1. An appendage or appendixlike structure.

2. A wormlike intestinal diverticulum extending from the blind end of the cecum; it varies in length and ends in a blind extremity. Synonym(s): appendix vermiformis [TA], appendix ceci, processus vermiformis, vermiform appendage, vermiform appendix, vermiform process, vermix

[L. appendage, fr. ap-pendo, to hang something on]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

vermiform appendix

n.

A narrow, tubelike sac in some mammals, including humans, that projects from the cecum of the large intestine. Also called vermiform process.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

ver·mi·form ap·pen·dix

(vĕr'mi-fōrm ă-pen'diks)

A wormlike intestinal diverticulum extending from the blind end of the cecum; it varies in length and ends in a blind extremity.
Synonym(s): appendix vermiformis [TA] .

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

vermiform appendix

See APPENDIX.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

vermiform appendix

see APPENDIX.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Patient discussion about vermiform appendix

Q. What Causes Acute Appendicitis? I've heard that appendicitis is a very common situation. What causes it to happen? Is there a way to avoid it?

A. Appendicitis is caused by an infection of the appendix, usually from bacterias that are already located in the abdomen. It is not a situation that can be avoided and can occur in a high prevalence in the population.

This content is provided by iMedix and is subject to iMedix Terms. The Questions and Answers are not endorsed or recommended and are made available by patients, not doctors.