Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsPurposeHealth ProblemsAppendectomyDo You Need One?FAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Purpose
Health Problems
Appendectomy
Do You Need One?
FAQs
Theappendixhas long been thought to have no significant function in the human body. Located in the lower right abdomen, the appendix has long been considered avestigialorgan, meaning one that lost its original function through evolution.
The article helps you understand what the appendix is, what it is thought to do, and what happens if your appendix needs to be removed.
What Is the Appendix?
The appendix is a small, finger-shaped organ that branches off thececum. The cecum is a pouch situated at the junction of thesmall intestineandlarge intestinewhose main role is to absorb fluids and salts that remain after the completion of intestinal digestion.
The average size of an appendix is 3.5 inches, although some can be as small as 2 inches or as large as 14 inches. The appendix is usually located in the lower right side of the abdomen, near the right hip bone.
What Is the Purpose of the Appendix?
Historically speaking, the function of the appendix was never really clear. To this day, there is debate on what role the organ plays in human health, if any.
In recent years, those beliefs have shifted. Many scientists say that the appendix plays a significant role in our immune and digestive health.
Among some of the recent theories, the appendix is thought to:
Health Problems of the Appendix
There are a number of conditions affecting the appendix that may require surgical removal of the organ (referred to as anappendectomy).
Appendicitis
Other symptoms of appendicitis include:
In severe cases, appendicitis can cause the appendix to rupture (burst). A ruptured appendix is a medical emergency that can become life-threatening if not decisively treated.
Appendix Tumors
Less commonly, the appendix is vulnerable to cellular changes that can lead to cancer. This most often involves slow-growingcarcinoid tumors. Cancer of the appendix (also known as appendiceal cancer) are relatively uncommon, accounting for around one of every 200 gastrointestinal cancers.
Even less common, are appendicealadenomas. These benign (non-cancerous) tumors may not pose any harm or cause any symptoms. In some cases, however, an appendiceal adenoma can cause abdominal pain and tenderness, albeit without fever, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
Get Emergency Medical HelpAppendicitis is a medical emergency. You need to see a healthcare provider or go to an emergency room immediately when symptoms develop.
Get Emergency Medical Help
Appendicitis is a medical emergency. You need to see a healthcare provider or go to an emergency room immediately when symptoms develop.
Reasons for an Appendectomy
An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. It is normally performed as an urgent or emergency procedure to treat severe appendicitis but can be used in other situations as well.
Some conditions that require an appendectomy include:
Most appendectomies today are performedlaparoscopicallyusing tiny “keyhole” incisions and a specialized tube-like scope and surgical equipment.
Do You Need an Appendix?
You do not need an appendix to survive and can live a perfectly normal life after an appendectomy. Moreover, the removal of an appendix has not been shown to increase your risk of intestinal diseases or make intestinal infections worse.
Once you have had an appendectomy, you will probably recover pretty quickly. Most people who undergo the procedure can leave the hospital in one to two days.
While you will need to take it easy and adhere to standard precautions—including properwound careand the avoidance of heavy lifting or running—most people can return to normal activity after two to four weeks
Summary
The appendix is a small organ located in your lower right abdomen. For centuries, the medical community believed it served no purpose and had no function. In recent years, research has suggested that the appendix may help support the immune system and help restore healthy bacteria to the intestines after an infection or when antibiotics are used.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the appendix is not useless. Recent research shows that the appendix is an important organ that affects your immune system and gut health. Scientists continue to learn more about the appendix.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Appendicitis.Killinger B, Labrie V.The appendix in Parkinson’s disease: From vestigial remnant to vital organ?J Parkinsons Dis. 2019;9(s2):S345-S358. doi:10.3233/JPD-191703Vitetta L, Chen J, Clarke S.The vermiform appendix: An immunological organ sustaining a microbiome inoculum.Clin Sci (Lond). 2019;133(1):1-8. doi:10.1042/CS20180956National Cancer Institute.Appendiceal cancer.Evola G, Caruso G, Caramma S, et al.Tubulo-villous adenoma of the appendix: A case report and review of the literature.Int J Surg Case Rep.2019;61:60–3. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.06.061Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Appendix removal (appendectomy) surgery patient information from SAGES.Salminen P, Paajanen H, Rautio T, et al.Antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: The APPAC randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;313(23):2340-2348. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6154Su G, Ko C, Bercik, P, ET al.AGA clinical practice guidelines on the role of probiotics in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):697-705. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.059
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Appendicitis.Killinger B, Labrie V.The appendix in Parkinson’s disease: From vestigial remnant to vital organ?J Parkinsons Dis. 2019;9(s2):S345-S358. doi:10.3233/JPD-191703Vitetta L, Chen J, Clarke S.The vermiform appendix: An immunological organ sustaining a microbiome inoculum.Clin Sci (Lond). 2019;133(1):1-8. doi:10.1042/CS20180956National Cancer Institute.Appendiceal cancer.Evola G, Caruso G, Caramma S, et al.Tubulo-villous adenoma of the appendix: A case report and review of the literature.Int J Surg Case Rep.2019;61:60–3. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.06.061Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Appendix removal (appendectomy) surgery patient information from SAGES.Salminen P, Paajanen H, Rautio T, et al.Antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: The APPAC randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;313(23):2340-2348. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6154Su G, Ko C, Bercik, P, ET al.AGA clinical practice guidelines on the role of probiotics in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):697-705. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.059
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Appendicitis.Killinger B, Labrie V.The appendix in Parkinson’s disease: From vestigial remnant to vital organ?J Parkinsons Dis. 2019;9(s2):S345-S358. doi:10.3233/JPD-191703Vitetta L, Chen J, Clarke S.The vermiform appendix: An immunological organ sustaining a microbiome inoculum.Clin Sci (Lond). 2019;133(1):1-8. doi:10.1042/CS20180956National Cancer Institute.Appendiceal cancer.Evola G, Caruso G, Caramma S, et al.Tubulo-villous adenoma of the appendix: A case report and review of the literature.Int J Surg Case Rep.2019;61:60–3. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.06.061Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Appendix removal (appendectomy) surgery patient information from SAGES.Salminen P, Paajanen H, Rautio T, et al.Antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: The APPAC randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;313(23):2340-2348. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6154Su G, Ko C, Bercik, P, ET al.AGA clinical practice guidelines on the role of probiotics in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):697-705. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.059
MedlinePlus.Appendicitis.
Killinger B, Labrie V.The appendix in Parkinson’s disease: From vestigial remnant to vital organ?J Parkinsons Dis. 2019;9(s2):S345-S358. doi:10.3233/JPD-191703
Vitetta L, Chen J, Clarke S.The vermiform appendix: An immunological organ sustaining a microbiome inoculum.Clin Sci (Lond). 2019;133(1):1-8. doi:10.1042/CS20180956
National Cancer Institute.Appendiceal cancer.
Evola G, Caruso G, Caramma S, et al.Tubulo-villous adenoma of the appendix: A case report and review of the literature.Int J Surg Case Rep.2019;61:60–3. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.06.061
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.Appendix removal (appendectomy) surgery patient information from SAGES.
Salminen P, Paajanen H, Rautio T, et al.Antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: The APPAC randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;313(23):2340-2348. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6154
Su G, Ko C, Bercik, P, ET al.AGA clinical practice guidelines on the role of probiotics in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):697-705. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.059
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