What is the appendix for?
2006-07-18 21:17:32 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Your appendix is a small, closed tube that is about the size of your finger. It attaches to the beginning of your large intestine, where the small and large intestines meet. It is open at the end that connects to the large intestine and closed at the other end, so material can move into and out of the appendix but it has nowhere to go. The appendix can contract like the small intestine, and it also has a secreting lining like the small intestine.
If the open end of the appendix gets plugged for some reason -- either because of swelling or because something from the large intestine gets stuck in the opening -- then the appendix starts to swell because of the secretions from the lining. The swelling shuts off the blood supply and the appendix tissue dies. An operation to remove the swollen appendix (an appendectomy) is the only way to fix this problem. If it isn't removed, the appendix eventually bursts, which can be fatal if untreated.
It does not appear that the appendix does anything. People traveling to foreign countries or on expeditions will sometimes have it removed to prevent the possibility of a problem.
2006-07-18 21:21:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Appendix is a worm-shaped appendage that sticks out from the top portion of the large intestine. Nobody really knows what its there for and its functions! However, it can become inflamed and if not treated immediately, can burst.
2006-07-18 21:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by vas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's for nothing. It's one of those things that has just evolved from something that was probably needed a long time ago for some odd reason, but which no longer has a need.
Or not. Read article below...lol.
2006-07-18 21:21:32 · answer #3 · answered by Evil Wordmonger, LTD LOL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Supposedly it is an evolutionary leftover from humans when they were primitive man. It has yet to shrivel off. Also I heard somewhere it was like a 'Non Digestable" junkyard for your intestines to put stuff into.
2006-07-18 21:23:47 · answer #4 · answered by matenmoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its like the electronic crap added to vehicles in the last 20 years. extra **** with no practical use other than the added expense to get fixed. consider it job security for docs.
2006-07-18 21:25:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See justmagikal answer. That is absolutely right.
2006-07-18 21:35:48 · answer #6 · answered by Aum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to balance our body...
related to center of gravity..
2006-07-18 21:23:02 · answer #7 · answered by Gotch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋