The appendix is a small bag, shaped like a tube and about 10 cm, that is connected to the first part of the large intestine, close to the place where the small and large intestine connect. In this way, its position is usually under the lower right region of the belly.
Although it is not considered an essential organ for the body, when it is inflamed it can be life-threatening, due to the high chance of bursting and releasing bacteria through the abdomen, resulting in a generalized infection. Thus, it is important to be aware of the first signs of inflammation, also known as appendicitis, such as very severe pain in the lower right belly, vomiting and poor appetite. Check for any symptoms that may indicate an appendicitis.
What is it for
There is no agreement on the exact functions of the appendix and, for many years, it was believed that it had no important function for the organism. However, over the years, and through several studies, several theories about the functions of the appendix have emerged, such as:
1. Remains of human evolution
According to this evolutionary theory, although the appendix has no function in the present, it has already served to digest food in the past, especially in times when humans were mainly fed on plants, having an important role in the digestion of the hardest parts such as the bark and roots, for example.
Over time, the diet of humans has changed and containing other foods easier to be digested in the stomach, so the appendix was no longer necessary and ended up getting smaller and becoming just a vestigial organ without a function. specific.
2. Organ of the immune system
In more recent research, the appendix has been shown to contain lymphoid cells, which are important in helping the body fight infections. Thus, the appendix can play an important role in strengthening the immune system.
These cells accumulate in the appendix after birth until adulthood, around 20 or 30 years of age, helping in the maturation of other cells of the immune system and in the formation of IgA antibodies, which are very important to eliminate viruses and bacteria. mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth and genitals, for example.
3. Organ of the digestive system
According to other studies, the appendix can also function as a deposit of good bacteria for the intestine, being used when the body suffers an infection that causes changes in the gut microbiota, such as after severe diarrhea.
In these cases, the appendix releases its bacteria so that they can grow and develop in the intestine, taking the place of the bacteria that were eliminated with the infection and eventually functioning as a probiotic.
When should surgery be done to remove
Surgery to remove the appendix, also known as appendectomy, should be done only when the appendix is inflamed, as there is a high risk of bursting and causing a generalized infection.In such cases, the use of antibiotics usually has no effect and, therefore, the cure is only achieved with surgery.
Thus, appendectomy should not be used as a method of prevention, to avoid having an appendicitis in the future, since the appendix may have some important function, and should only be removed when in fact it is a health risk.
Learn more about this surgery and how to recover.
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