title: Negative correlation between age of subjects and length of the appendix in Bangladeshi males.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anatomy of the vermiform appendix shows variations in its macroscopic dimensions some of which have potential to influence the clinical aspects of the appendix. Anatomical studies on the appendix using people in Bangladesh as a sample are limited and fall short of producing any standardized anthropometric data. This study is predominantly a cross-sectional observational study which also uses some statistical analysis to understand the relationships amongst variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six adult male postmortem appendices and adnexa were examined for macroscopic features. Possible interrelationships among the variables were assessed through statistical analysis. The age of the samples ranged from 18 to 67 years. The most common position of the appendix was retrocolic (53.57%) followed by pelvic (30.35%), postileal (12.5%), and subcaecal (3.5%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In most cases (62.5%) the mesoappendix did not reach the tip of the appendix. The appendicular length varied from 6.00 cm to 16.30 cm with mean (± SD) and median value of 10.21 ±2.50 cm and 10.00 cm respectively. The base of the appendix was 1.90 to 3.80 cm away from the ileocaecal junction. The other macroscopic measurements of the appendix were taken at the base, at the midzone and at the tip of the appendix and the mean of the three measurements was considered as the overall value. Thus, the overall external diameter varied between 0.32 cm and 0.83 cm. Assessment of possible correlations amongst different variables revealed a significant negative correlation between the age of the subjects and the length of the appendix.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data of the present study may provide a baseline along with some previous data in the standardization of the anthropometric information regarding the vermiform appendix of Bangladeshi males.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sheikh Muhammad Abu
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bakar
authors.forename: Manjare
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shamim
authors.forename: Gazi Mahabubul
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarwar
keywords: Bangladesh; adult males; cross-sectional observational study; vermiform appendix