cecum

American  

[see-kuhm] / ˈsi kəm /

Or caecum

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

ceca

1. a cul-de-sac, especially that in which the large intestine begins.

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cecum British  

/ ˈsiːkəm /

noun

1. a variant spelling of caecum

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cecum Scientific  

/ sē′kəm /

plural

ceca

1. A large pouch forming the beginning of the large intestine. The appendix and the ileum of the small intestine both connect to the cecum.

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Other Word Forms

• cecal adjective
• cecally adverb
• subcecal adjective

Etymology

Origin of cecum

1715–25; short for Latin intestinum caecum blind gut

Example Sentences

Mice possess a cecum -- a pouch in their digestive system that slows the flow of intestinal contents and helps digest carbohydrates, which may contribute to being able to better tolerate sorbitol.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2024

Figure 23.21 Large Intestine The large intestine includes the cecum, colon, and rectum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The main regions of the large intestine are the cecum, the colon, and the rectum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

It was during this examination that the larger polyp was discovered in the cecum, at the juncture of the large and small intestines.

From Time Magazine Archive

These two occur in the small intestine; a form intermediate in size may also be found in the cecum and colon.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.