How does the appendix help digestion?

Answer 1

Seeing as I no longer have mine, I don't think it does a fat lot for my digestion....

Answer 2

the appendix
does not play a useful part in our digestion .

it is situated near the iliocaecal valve
( between the small and large intestine,)

it is a fine blind tube approx4" long ,
It is known as the vermiform appendix
( as it looks a bit like a worm)

the walls of the appendix ,
have a great deal of lymphoid tissue in them,
this is why it is often, a site of infection & infamation .

We can all live perfectly well ,without our appendix .
,if it has to be removed.

>^,,^<

Answer 3

"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 vestigial structure with no current purpose. The appendix is thought to have descended from an organ in our distant herbivorous ancestors called the cecum (or caecum). The cecum is maintained in modern herbivores, where it houses the bacteria that digest cellulose, a chemically tough carbohydrate that these animals could not otherwise utilize. The human appendix contains no significant number of these bacteria, and cellulose is indigestible to us. It seems likely that the appendix lost this function before our ancestors became recognizably human."

This, and more, from Wikipedia, the free, online encyclopedia at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiform_appendix

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

It provides a home for bacteria which helps to digest cellulose from plants, very important in grazing animals.
We don't need it, so it does very little in humans. Unfortunately the hole between the appendix and the rest of the gut is aboutthe same size as a tomato pip.If said pip gets stuck in the hole the appendix can become inflamed - appendicitus, and then kill you.

Answer 5

ITdoes not help digestion. It has become obsolete.It was thought to be useful for digestive needs of early civilisations.

Answer 6

I heard it used to help us digest grass. I've not noticed any difference in my digestion since having it taken out.

Answer 7

it doesnt
all the appendix does is filter out bacteria from the blood
but after a while the bacteria can cause it to swell leading to appendicitis

Answer 8

It doesn't
It's a vestige in humans when we had a much more vegetarian diet (pre human)

Rabbits for example have massive appendices

But that's because they really have to get every last bit of nutrition out of veg

Even then they eat their own excrement again, just to make sure

Answer 9

its vestigeal in humans but in rudiments Vom pyrella bacteria inhabit it for cellulose digestion.

Answer 10

i dont think the appendix does anything.