Development of the right colon and the peritoneal surface during the human fetal period: human ontogeny of the right colon

Background Development of the digestive tract during the human fetal period has been the subject of many studies, but there are no works that study the ontogeny of both the right colon and the peritoneum. Methods Based on the dissections of adult male cadavers and human fetuses, the aim of this anatomical study was to demonstrate the rules of the morpho-functional group, consisting of the right colon and its peritoneum surface, in human ontogeny. Results The morphology of the right colon results from a rotational motion, inducting the migration of the cecum in the right iliac fossa and formation of the hepatic flexure. This intestinal migration is based on the axis of rotation of the spreading area of the colon at the ventral side of the lower pole of the right kidney, which becomes visible after the 17th week. Conclusion Our different observations plead in favor of the peritoneal fusion theory. A few variations of this fusion can explain all the disorders in the position of the cecum–appendix that are encountered in current surgery, as well as the possibility of internal hernias.