[Appendicitis and its history].

Appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain. It is caused by the obstruction of the cecal lumen and can evolve to perforation and peritonitis. This article reviews the initial description and history of appendicitis and describes the signs and symptoms used for diagnosis. In today'’s medicine, where technology plays an important role, the value of anamnesis and physical examination should be stressed as useful tools.