Microscopic Study of the Luminal Diameter and Thickness of Wall of Vermiform Appendix in Bangladeshi People of Different Age and Sex

Abstract

The Vermiform appendix is blind ended tube associated with caecum with varying in length. It has a thick wall and narrow lumen due to presence of large lymphoid follicles within its wall. The anatomy of the vermiform appendix shows variations in its macroscopic dimensions and microscopic features, some of which have potentials of influencing the clinical aspects of the appendix. This cross-sectional descriptive study was done at the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 2016 to March 2017.

About 40 specimen of human vermiform appendix from Bangladeshi cadaver of both sexes and from different age groups were collected from autopsy laboratory of the department of Forensic Medicine of Mymensingh Medical College. From each vermiform appendix one slides were prepared from its middle part and were stained with routine H & E stain for microscopic examination such as luminal diameter and wall thickness. The mean luminal diameter of vermiform appendix was 1652.02±33.52, 1626.75±44.28, 1590.02±39.43 and 1558.57±47.23 µm in group A, B, C and D respectively. It was also observed that luminal diameter of vermiform appendix gradually decreased as age advanced. The mean luminal diameter of vermiform appendix in male was higher than that of female in group B (1627.11±41.23 µm), group C (1590.45±40.58 µm) and in group D (1559.24±46.20 µm) but lower in group A (1651.11±48.05 µm). Mean difference between sexes in the different study groups was statistically non  significant at p= or > 0.05 level. The mean wall thickness of vermiform appendix was 1700.01±66.26, 1649.65±58.83, 1586.39±60.40 and 1518.03±87.04 µm in group A, B, C and D respectively. It was also observed that wall thickness of vermiform appendix decreased as age advanced. Overall, the study observed a gradual decline in the luminal diameter and wall thickness of vermiform appendix with increasing age.