antecaecal
|an-ti-see-cal|
/ˌæn.tɪˈsiː.kəl/
before the cecum
Etymology
'antecaecal' originates from Latin, specifically the prefix 'ante-' and the word 'caecum', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'caecum' meant 'blind (intestinal pouch)'.
'antecaecal' was formed in post-classical/Medieval Latin as a compound (e.g. 'antecaecalis') combining 'ante-' + 'caecalis' (from Latin 'caecum' < 'caecus'), and was adopted into modern English medical usage as 'antecaecal'.
Initially it meant 'located before the caecum' and this basic anatomical meaning has been retained in modern medical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated in front of or anterior to the caecum (cecum) in the body; precaecal.
The surgeon recorded the appendix as being in an antecaecal position.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/21 07:22