Histochemical enzymatic assessment of the human appendix at different ages

The appendectomy specimens submitted to surgical pathology exhibit a wide variety of morphological appearances. We have evaluated the activities of acid phosphatase, alpha-naphthyl esterase, and leucineaminopeptidase in 100 human appendixes divided into six age groups in order to ascertain whether any histochemical pattern was related to the age group rather than to pathological condition. Our findings support that the submucosal fibrosis is unrelated to the patient's age, as well as appendiceal obliteration. It is noteworthy that the mucosa of the appendix may retain its lymphoid constituents at any age and that young subjects may already show appearances of involution up to lumen obliteration.