MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF HUMAN FETAL VERMIFORM APPENDIX AT DIFFERENT GESTATIONAL

Background: Vermiform appendix is a vestigial organ of variable position in the abdomen. Its location, size and shape are subject to alterations with the race of the population and limited information is availabl e on devel- opmental morphology and morphometry of fetal appendix. Materials and Methods: In the present study 60 appendix specimens from aborted human fetuses of 17-40 weeks gestational age and both sexes were stu died by dissection method for age related morphological features and morphometric parameters. The morphol ogi- cal parameters observed include its location in relation to abdominal region, caecum and ileum, cloc k position, position of base in relation to caecal wall and direction of tip of appendix. The morphometric par ameters of length, diameter and distance between ileo-caecal orifice and appendicular orifice were measured. Results: The location of appendix in relation to abdominal region presented higher incidence of sub-hepatic p osition in less than 30 weeks fetuses and right iliac fossa location in more than 30 weeks fetuses. Discussion : in comparision with the literature available on adult vermiform appendix the observations in the present study are in favor of influence of developmental processes on the localization of appendix including its base, ileo-caecal orifice, direction of tip, distance from McBurney’s point. Conclusion: Results of this work suggests variability in local- ization of appendix during prenatal development and the influence of gestational age, sex, size, gro wth of caecum and gut on its final position and was different from that of adults. There is increase in the morphomet- ric parameters of appendix with increase in gestational age. Both morphological and morphometric parameters were different between sexes.