What Does The Human Appendix Do?
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The Appendix
The appendix is a narrow, muscular, worm-shaped tube. One end is attached to the first part of the large intestine. The other end is closed and its position in the body can vary from person to person.
An average adult appendix is about 4 inches (10cm) long, but can range in length from less than an inch up to 8 inches. Its diameter is usually about 1/3 inch (7-8mm).The function of the appendix is unknown.Indigestible food moves from the small intestine into the appendix, and is then forced out again, as the appendix contracts its muscular walls, into the large intestine.
Because of this action, the most popular theory is that it was once used by primitive man to digest particularly tough foods, but is no longer required in modern man as we have a different diet.
Scientists have also theorized that the appendix may have lympatic, exocrine, endocrine, or neuromuscular functions.The appendix can be surgically removed (appendectomy) without any known side effects. The usual reason for removal of the appendix is appendicitis, where the appendix becomes inflamed.Recognizing & Treating Appendicitis
Did You Know ... ?
- The Australian koala has an appendix which is over 6 foot or 2 metres long! This animal eats eucalyptus leaves, which it is thought are detoxified in its appendix.
- Most cases of appendicitis are in people aged between 8 and 25. It is rarely seen in children under 2 years old.
- According to Guiness world records, the longest appendix ever removed was 9.2 inches (23.5cm) in length, from a man in Pakistan in 2003.
- A person's age can be estimated by the appearance of the lymph nodules in the appendix. At birth, lymphoid nodules are not present; but by age 10 there are many throughout the mucosa of the appendix. After the age of 10, the lymphoid nodules gradually waste away. By the age of 40, the lymph nodules are barely visible.
Location of the Appendix
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Sorry to hear that. I hope your friend recovers quickly.
Nice hub, thanks.
I think I read recently in SciAm that some researchers think the appendix acts as a reservoir for intestinal flora. After a bout of diarrea the gut can be reinocuclated by the bugs stored in the appendix.
Interesting theory anyway.
Very interesting. Thanks for posting it!
I have this theory that my half brother still uses his for eating all of the raw meats that he does...lol.
Had my appendix taken out a year ago. It's awful pain to go through.
i had appendix
my sister has just had hers out she is in pain
Right now my brother's in the hospital too and his appendix is gonna be taken out. That's why I looked this up to begin with. (and nicky everyone "had" an appendix...?)
While reading about the appendix on your site, I noticed the author uses the term "man" to refer to all humans. The creditability of the information is called into question when out-dated terms are used. Please rectify.
Just had mine taken out, very painful stuff.
My brothers girlfriend is in the hospital now because hers broke.
And donna I think you just don't like it because your sexist.
I had mine removed on Monday and returned to work the following Monday...But yes i agree, very painful stuff!
Thanks for your comments! Hey Donna, when did the word "man" as a generic term for all humans become "out-dated"? It's in every dictionary! In fact, I looked up "human" in the dictionary, and it said "relating to man and mankind".
I had my appendix out last week and still in pain. Man is a term used for women, men and children it is as modern today as it was 150yrs ago. I hope know one see's this topic as sexist because that would be pathetic.
you are all stupid. =) in a nice way. no one likes appendixes hahahahahaha.
My appendix was inflamed and I had to sit in the waiting hall in pain for over 13 hours until I was finally attended but,before I went to the hospital I was throwing up for a week! Worst time of my life...anyway im glad that surgery wont affect me in anyway although full recovery can take a while.
On how the theory of how the appendix stopped working..."The appendix no longer functions because primitive man ate 'tough foods'" seems silly. When a man stops eating tough foods this doesn't cause the appendix to stop working. The appendix would have stopped working because some man had a non-working appendix while another man had one that was still working. The working appendixes could have been bad for man and soon after they died. Those who had the non-working appendixes still lived and the genetics of the non-working appendix runs through modern man.
Anyways! Great article! very useful for my project!
@ Donna
I realize this is nine months later and you likely won't see it, but please stuff your feminazi gender neutral crap.
The word "man" has been used as shorthand for "human" throughout the entirety of human history. Don't expect *man* to bow down to your demand to change simply because you've got your panties in a wad.
A demand on your part doesn't necessitate a change on ours.
I like the way we used to be...When woMAN let man be MAN. Knock off your silly pro-WOman attitude Donna. Everyone knows that author was referring to Mankind. You're putting women back in place that 1000's fought hard to get out of. Just the fact that you feel the need to take the authors words out of context and make this about yourself, proves that truely don't understand what the 1000's were and still are striving for. Deep breath. Deep breath Donna....you'll live on Sister.
my sister got her appendix taken out last week and mine is coming out in eight days.
Best wishes to you both!
The apprndix MUST be of some use, I know this as a fact, if it is of surely no use evolution should've disapeared millions of years ago
Mine had to come out 2 years ago now. Since having it out I've developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I don't think they are unrelated, so I do think the appendix does something we haven't fully appreciated yet.
chloe 2 years ago
my friend is in the emergency room beacuse of her appendix