HISTOMORPHOMETRIC COMPARISON OF CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY AND INFLAMED HUMAN VERMIFORM APPENDIX WITHA SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE LYMPHOID TISSUE

Abstract

Appendix is the most highlighted vestigial organ both due to literature concerning it and also due
to the frequency of surgical intervention needed. Appendicitis is one of the most common causes
for the appendicectomy. It is also a fact that many appendices are excised even without any
pathology. This may be due to the fact that appendicitis diagnosis is still to a large extent based
on the surgeon’s diagnosis. A retrospective study comparing the histomorphometric
characteristics of normal and inflamed appendix was conducted to ascertain the changes in the
appendix due to the inflammation process. A significant difference in wall thickness and
lymphoid follicle size was noted between normal and inflamed appendix.