I recently had mine removed but no one could tell me why we have one.
2006-10-02 06:41:52 · 12 answers · asked by wests1980 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Why we have one is to to extract and metabolize fats and emulsions of the digestive system as with most of the digestive system it provides for the formation of lymph via lacteals
The contents of these structures pass by simple diffusion
into the epithelial cells of the small intestine. The digested lipids are
packaged inside a protein coat and released into lacteals. The lipid-
rich lymph is transported
through the lymphatic system to the blood. The blood transports the
digested lipids to adipose tissue and to the liver
It metabolizes fats and emulsions the digestive system can't handle before the bolus (food) gets there.
2006-10-02 07:28:51 · answer #1 · answered by old_brain 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its formal name is vermiform appendix and its also called the cecal appendix and appendix vermiformis. It's a vestigial organ, an outpouching of the cecum. It may have once played a part in the digestive process but it now has no use. We don't know why we continue to have one. Perhaps, if the human species survives another million years, we will lose even this vestige. Hope this answers your question.
2006-10-02 06:50:25 · answer #2 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Currently, the function of the appendix, if any, remains controversial in the field of human physiology.
There have been cases of people who have been found, usually on laparoscopy or laparotomy, to have a congenital absence of their appendix. There have been no reports of impaired immune or gastrointestinal function in these people.
One explanation has been that the appendix is a remnant of an earlier function, with no current purpose.
2006-10-02 06:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by psioni 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God or evolution gave us one for a purpose - it seems now to be largely redundant. Who knows if after the dreaded nuclear holocaust if ever it occurs, then it may come into its own again. However in that event will we remain intelligent/sane long enough to worry about it?
Just accept it's a mystery (no-one knows) and leave it at that.
Once the human race can answer all the questions, if ever, then and only then, do I give you the right to call yourselves my equal.
2006-10-03 02:03:50 · answer #4 · answered by scrambulls 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was something we needed in early stages of evolution that we don't need anymore. Eventually I guess we'll evolve so no one is born with one. It will be the same for wisdom teeth eventually as well my Dentist says, there are loads of people who have impacted wisdom teeth that never come out apart from in surgery. Aren't humans wonderful?
2006-10-02 06:53:51 · answer #5 · answered by welsman1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AN appendix.
What on earth has happened to the glorious English language?
2006-10-02 06:50:36 · answer #6 · answered by Phlodgeybodge 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a vestigial part. It is a useful part of the digestive system in some animals, but during evolution, it has lost its use in humans.
2006-10-02 06:45:02 · answer #7 · answered by yakkydoc 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They used to think it was to remove foreign stuff out of our bowel, which it does but more recently they have discovered that they some how help protect us from radiation.
2006-10-02 06:47:48 · answer #8 · answered by oldman 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It contains a mass of white blood cells that help contribute to your immune system
2006-10-02 06:47:52 · answer #9 · answered by Showaddywaddy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is just a residual remnant of evolution.
2006-10-02 06:44:43 · answer #10 · answered by ducky 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋