Topographical anatomy of the vermiform appendix within a select adult and fetal South African population

One of the intra-abdominal structures that is considered vestigial, yet highly potent, is the appendix, which can vary in position, length, and diameter due to differences among sexes, population groups, and embryological variations. These variations have been documented in various adult and fetal populations; however, few have investigated these variations within a South African population. The present study therefore aimed to describe the topographical anatomy of the vermiform appendix within a select adult and fetal South African population. The appendicular position, length, outer diameter (at the base, midpoint, and tip), distance of the spino-umbilical line, and the relation to the spino-umbilical line were determined in 20 adult (subset A) and 45 fetal (subset B) embalmed cadavers obtained from the Department of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. There was a high incidence of the retrocecal position in subset A, and the pre-ileal position in subset B. The average distance of the spino-umbilical line, length, and diameter in subset A were 216.54 ± 36.51 mm, 75.56 ± 19.45 mm, and 5.99 ± 1.64 mm, respectively. The average length, diameter, and distance of the spino-umbilical in subset B were 21.99 ± 5.38 mm, 1.47 ± 0.36 mm, and 29.02 ± 5.70 mm, respectively. The appendicular base was frequently found along the spino-umbilical line in subset A, and cephalically in subset B. The present study’s findings may assist in diagnosing appendicitis and appendectomy within this select adult and fetal South African population.