Radiology, Vol 121, 599-604, Copyright © 1976 by Radiological Society of North America
The normal and abnormal development of the appendix. A radiographic assessment
EJ Balthazar and M Gade
Radiographic examinations of the colon in the adult demonstrate a wide
variety of contours of the interior cecal segment and appendix. These
findings are a result of the normal developmental process of the appendix
which can be arbitrarily separated into four stages. Examples of
appendiceal development arrested at different stages, as well as variations
of the normal adult appendix, are explained and illustrated. Forms of
primitive development and lack of development (agenesis) are discussed.
