Omental appendices (epiploic appendages) are small fat-filled pouches of peritoneum hanging from the outer surface of the colon, mostly along the taeniae coli. They are a feature that helps distinguish large from small intestine.
| Location | Along the surface of the colon, most numerous on the transverse and sigmoid colon; absent on the rectum |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Autonomic plexuses of the colon |
| Blood Supply | Branches of the colic arteries (vasa recta) |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Store fat and possibly help cushion the colon; no essential function is known.
Twisting or blockage of the vein of an appendage causes epiploic appendagitis, which mimics appendicitis or diverticulitis but settles without surgery. CT shows a characteristic small fatty ring.
Inflammation of a twisted appendage causing localised abdominal pain that resolves on its own.
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