III. Adult Cæca in Cases of Absence of the Appendix.—A few instances of congenital absence of the appendix have been observed.
Fig. 535.—Human adult. Ileo-colic junction and cæcum; absence of appendix. (Columbia University Museum, No. 1077.)
Fig. 536.—Human adult. Ileo-colic junction and cæcum, hardened in situ; absence of appendix. (Columbia University Museum, No. 715.)
A. v. Haller[9] describes the condition in the following words: “Defuisse visa est in homine appendicula, ut tuberculum minimum superesset.”
Fr. Arnold,[10] without describing any individual case, states that “very rarely the appendix is entirely wanting.”
E. Zuckerkandl,[11] reports having observed one case of absence of the appendix.
J. D. Bryant,[12] reports a case in which he operated for appendicitis but found “absolutely no appendix.” “The point of tenderness was found to be a glandular growth located posterior to the usual site of the appendix.”