Your Ad Here

Scientists discover function of human appendix

Surgeons and immunologists at the Duke University Medical School believe they have unraveled the mystery behind the function of the human appendix.

The organ that was once thought to be vestigial — lacking a specific function in the body — is now believed to produce and protect good bacteria in the digestive tract.

The gut is full of good bacteria that aid in digestion, but diseases such as cholera and amoebic dysentery can clear out these microbes.

It is now believed that the function of the appendix is to regenerate and store the helpful bacteria.

This theory is supported by the fact that food and germs pass in a one-way flow just below the large intestine.

In today’s society, the appendix is no longer needed because outbreaks of cholera and dysentery seldom occur, and people can repopulate their intestinal bacteria through contact with other humans.

The organ is thought to have been more useful centuries ago when people lived farther apart and cholera and dysentery epidemics occurred frequently.

Duke surgery Professor Bill Parker said that the rate of appendicitis is lower in less developed countries where the appendix is still useful in helping to protect good bacteria.
This suggests that there is a correlation between the relatively high rate of appendicitis and the lack of appendix function in developed countries.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 321,000 Americans were hospitalized with appendicitis in 2005.

Scientists and doctors have speculated for years about the possible function of the appendix. Suggestions have ranged from its playing a minor part in the gastrointestinal system to its being an organ of the immunological system.

In 1976, medical textbooks began to suggest that the appendix was not entirely vestigial, and that it did have a specific function — namely as an immunological mechanism.

The walls of the appendix contain high concentrations of lymphoid tissues, which formed the basis for the idea that the appendix played a role in the immune system. The appendix also appears to produce immune system cells.

Along with several other organs that contain B-lymphocyte cells, the appendix manufactures several types of antibodies, including IgA, IgM and IgG immunoglobulins. IgA immunoglobulins are vital in maintaining a protective barrier between the bowel tract and the bloodstream. IgM and IgG immunoglobulins help to fight invaders through the bloodstream.

The function of the appendix has often been discussed in the arguments concerning evolution. The apparent loss of function of the organ in modern society offers support for evolution of the human body, but scientific findings of modern appendix function also offer support for a non-evolutionary argument.
The appendix was even mentioned in the famous Scopes Trial concerning the teaching of evolution in schools.

The modern loss of appendix function appears to coincide with an increased number of appendicitis cases. Appendicitis most often occurs when the small entrance to the appendix becomes blocked.

This blockage results in inflammation of the appendix, which causes the symptoms of appendicitis (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting).

As the inflammation continues, bacteria begins to leak out of the dying walls of the appendix and if surgical intervention does not occur, the appendix will rupture, spreading a potentially fatal infection (peritonitis) throughout the abdomen.

The discovery of the possible function of the appendix is monumental because it calls into question the notion of labeling organs as vestigial if they do not appear to have a function in the human body. Medical specialists like Gary Huffnagle of the University of Michigan believe theories like this may indicate that other “vestigial” organs, like tonsils, could potentially have a function.

26 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:00 PM

    The discovery of a probable use of the appendix is not surprising. Over 30 years ago I was taught the idea that the appendix and the tonsils are part of the immune system and that research showed evidence that people who have their appendix removed are more susceptible to colonic cancer and that those who have their tonsils removed are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Every part of the body that is there contributes somehow to the functioning of the body. The body is a whole. The same is true of the universe as a whole. Everything has some effect upon the whole. This is not a view that rejects the theory of evolution at all. It's just common sense. Michael Laitman discusses this on his blog.

    http://www.laitman.com/2008/02/29/to-feel-the-harmony-of-eternal-nature/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous9:12 AM

    When you order generic viagra you will never fail at getting an erection so you will loose the fear which holds you back from engaging in sexual intercourse.


    I will continue to order generic viagra and I hope that all men who suffer from impotence will do so as well, since to order generic Viagra online is the best idea to save up a couple of dollars.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, helpful source.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous5:36 AM

    Thanks for the nice information...
    If you hv any sexual related problem kindly visit: www.kamagrarx.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The organ that was once thought to be vestigial — lacking a specific function in the body — is now believed to produce and protect good bacteria in the digestive tract. It is now believed that the function of the appendix is to regenerate and store the helpful bacteria.

    cheapest generic viagra

    ReplyDelete
  6. Duke University Medical School done very job. I like to appreciate them for their efforts.human appendix is really vestigial organ in next 100 years it will get disappear from human beings.
    any way thanks a lot for providing this informative article.


    .....Alex

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello,
    Thanks very much for sharing such a great Information about "Human Appendix". Really I would found this very helpful. keep posting, I'm looking forward to your new posts.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great Previously it was considered as vestigial organ like third eye. But now come to know what was its role. Thanks for all the scientist for providing this nice information. I would like to read few more articles from this author.



    Smith Alan
    generic viagra 100mg

    ReplyDelete
  9. The information and comment about the penis enlargement is so good.
    Is penis enlargement devices works for the man's age more then 45 years

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am very surprised reading this article because before reading this article I thought that Appendix is really a vestigial part of the body just like third eye but this article clear the idea that is it useful part very thanks to know me its original function.


    Smith ALan

    ReplyDelete
  11. This theory is supported by the fact that food and germs pass in a one-way flow just below the large intestine.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This time again you have raised your bar of writing; it is simply beyond my imagination how you manage to pen down such good stuff! You much be an intellect. I wish you best of luck!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is very interesting for me to read that post. Thank you for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the nice blog. It was very useful for me. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice post. really very interesting things are said in this post. keep up the good job dude..

    ReplyDelete
  16. Excellent shareing Thanks for share i am sure its must help me.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello,
    Really this is very interesting blog post here.... your blog is so interesting for reading. It contain very unique and very helpful information. Thanks very much for sharing such an interesting information. Keep posting....

    ReplyDelete
  19. It sounds great. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was so very taken by the flow of your write-up. The events just took me to the place which you described and I could feel that happening to me. I think your narration is world-best…keep it up…

    ReplyDelete
  21. The blog is to good and informative where i like to discuss about this in my blog thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. hi there nice post It's gently different and new data for me glad to read this fresh blog. Regards!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This was an amazing site that I had never seen it before. Thanks a lot for the information because I had liked it very much!

    ReplyDelete
  25. IgA immunoglobulins are vital in maintaining a protective barrier between the bowel tract and the bloodstream.
    examples

    ReplyDelete