cecum

American  

[see-kuhm] / ˈsi kəm /

Or caecum

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

ceca plural

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 /

ceca plural

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

Derived Forms

• cecal
  adjective
• subcecal
  adjective
• cecally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ceca
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cecum

1715–25; short for Latin intestinum caecum blind gut

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cecum

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

However, in the rabbit the small intestine and cecum are enlarged to allow more time to digest plant material.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

When the cecum is distended with chyme, contractions of the ileocecal sphincter strengthen.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Then, using what Oller described as a "no touch" procedure, they excised a 2-ft. section, including the cecum, a portion of the small intestine and some surrounding lymph nodes.

From Time Magazine Archive

The cecum, situated as it is, must bear the brunt of the evil effects of constipation.

From Appendicitis by Tilden, John Henry