Posted by Matt Oglesby on September 04, 2009 at 00:31:05:
In Reply to: Kidneys & Abdominal Autonomics II posted by Matt Oglesby on September 04, 2009 at 00:15:11:
11.Why is pain from appendicitis initially referred to the umbilical area, and then "shifts" to the right umbilical fossa?
According to
Pain originates initially in the umbilical area as a result of visceral afferent neurons dishing out referred pain (as described in a previous response). Upon swelling of the appendix, the parietal peritoneum becomes irritated and somatic afferent neurons pick up on actual pain.