Is the appendix on the left or right side?
Disease description:
I've always heard about the appendix and appendicitis, but I'm not exactly sure where the appendix is located. Is it on the left or the right side of the body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The appendix is usually located in the right lower quadrant of the human abdomen, specifically at the terminal end of the cecum.
The cecum is part of the large intestine and is situated within the right iliac fossa, which is the far right portion of the pelvis. Connected to the cecum, the position of the appendix may vary slightly among individuals. However, in most cases, the appendix is located near McBurney's point, an anatomical landmark located one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus.
When the appendix becomes inflamed, this area typically becomes the primary source of pain, a condition known as acute appendicitis, which is one of the common acute abdominal emergencies requiring urgent medical intervention. Clinically, typical signs of appendicitis include tenderness and rebound tenderness at McBurney's point in the right lower abdomen. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, the patient's specific condition must be considered comprehensively.
Once appendicitis is suspected, timely medical evaluation is necessary. Doctors generally confirm the diagnosis through physical examination, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scans, or other imaging studies. Treatment options mainly include surgical removal of the appendix and conservative management.
