noun
- a pouch or cavity that forms the beginning of the large intestine, located where the small intestine joins the colon
Usage: anatomy; also spelled 'caecum' in British English
Examples
- The cecum is an important part of the digestive system in humans and many animals.
- Food passes from the small intestine into the cecum before moving into the colon.
- The appendix is a small tube attached to the cecum.
- In herbivores, the cecum is often enlarged to help digest plant material.
- Inflammation of the cecum can cause abdominal pain and discomfort.