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The formation of the ascending colon

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Summary

The formation of the ascending colon has been reviewed in a series of 41 fetuses ranging from 38mm to full term. Particular attention has been paid to the position of the ileocaecal angle in relation to horizontal skeletal plane taken through the upper and lower abdomen. The measurements show that the caecum adopts a position close to the intercristal plane promptly upon its return to the abdomen from the physiological midgut hernia; and that it does not tend to migrate during later gestation. Presumptive ascending and transverse segments of the colon could be defined in relation to the descending stage of the duodenum. The definitive ascending colon is considered to be created during the process of elongation of the colon and of the abdominal parietes as a whole, the caecum and duodenum retreating progressively from one another. The caecum undergoes only arelative descent within the abdomen, not an absolute descent as is commonly conceived.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University College, Galway

    M. J. T. FitzGerald, J. P. Nolan & M. N. O’Neill

Authors
  1. M. J. T. FitzGerald
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  2. J. P. Nolan
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  3. M. N. O’Neill
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FitzGerald, M.J.T., Nolan, J.P. & O’Neill, M.N. The formation of the ascending colon. Ir J Med Sci 140, 258–262 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02942262

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02942262

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