Ileal band in northwest Indian subjects

The incidence of the ileal band was recorded in 1,040 northwest Indian subjects varying in age from 1 day to 100 years on whom a medicolegal postmortem had been performed by the author. The band was present in 31.8% of male and 17.5% of female subjects (P less than .05) and was either quadrilateral (60%) or triangular in shape. In addition 25 foetuses, each above 250 mm in crown-rump length, 25 neonates, 25 monkeys (Macaca mulatta), and an equal number of dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and rats were also dissected, but the band was found to be absent. In all the foetuses dissected and in 24 out of 25 newborns the caecum was found to be either in the subhepatic or right lumbar region. The earliest age at which the band was found was 7 months. As the band was absent in the animals and the newborns, it appears that it develops in man on account of attaining an erect posture.