What percentage of appendices are typically found in a retrocaecal position?

The correct answer, which indicates that 74% of appendices are found in a retrocaecal position, reflects a well-documented anatomical variation in the position of the appendix. The retrocaecal position occurs when the appendix is located behind the caecum, and this is one of the most common anatomical placements for the appendix. Understanding this statistic is crucial for clinicians, especially during surgical procedures such as an appendectomy, as it impacts both the assessment during diagnosis and the approach taken during surgery.

Knowledge of the normal and variant anatomy of the appendix is essential for predicting the position one might encounter in patients presenting with appendicitis. The high percentage underscores the need for surgeons to be aware of this potential variation to avoid complications and ensure a safer and more effective surgical intervention.