Appendicitis Flashcards
what is appendicitis?
acute inflammation of the appendix
what is appendicitis the most common cause for?
acute, severe abdominal pain
where is the abdomen most tender in appendicitis?
at McBurney’s point
where is the McBurney’s point?
one third of the distance from the right anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus
what does the McBurney’s point correspond to?
corresponds to the location of the base of the appendix
what does the aetiology of appendicitis depend on?
age
what is the aetiology of appendicitis in the young?
mostly due to an increase in lymphoid tissue size, which occludes the lumen
what is the aetiology of appendicitis from 30 years old onwards?
more likely to be blocked due to faecal matter
initially in appendicitis, what happens?
Initially, the appendix cannot drain, and so increases in size, stretching the visceral peritoneum
what does stretching the visceral peritoneum cause?
This causes a vague pain in the periumbilical region
what happens as the appendix swells?
it irritates the parietal peritoneum, and causes severe pain in the right lower quadrant
what happens if the appendix isn’t removed?
it can become necrotic and rupture, resulting in peritonitis
what is peritonitis?
inflammation of the peritoneum
