Appendix what was it used for

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If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. Related Stories. The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Need help? Visit our Help Center. During the early years of development, however, the appendix has been shown to function as a lymphoid organ, assisting with the maturation of B lymphocytes one variety of white blood cell and in the production of the class of antibodies known as immunoglobulin A IgA antibodies.

Researchers have also shown that the appendix is involved in the production of molecules that help to direct the movement of lymphocytes to various other locations in the body. Thus, the appendix probably helps to suppress potentially destructive humoral blood- and lymph-borne antibody responses while promoting local immunity. The appendix--like the tiny structures called Peyer's patches in other areas of the gastrointestinal tract--takes up antigens from the contents of the intestines and reacts to these contents.

This local immune system plays a vital role in the physiological immune response and in the control of food, drug, microbial or viral antigens. The connection between these local immune reactions and inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as autoimmune reactions in which the individual's own tissues are attacked by the immune system, is currently under investigation. In such surgery, a section of the intestine is formed into a replacement bladder, and the appendix is used to re-create a 'sphincter muscle' so that the patient remains continent able to retain urine.

In addition, the appendix has been successfully fashioned into a makeshift replacement for a diseased ureter, allowing urine to flow from the kidneys to the bladder. As a result, the appendix, once regarded as a nonfunctional tissue, is now regarded as an important 'back-up' that can be used in a variety of reconstructive surgical techniques.

It is no longer routinely removed and discarded if it is healthy. Removal of the appendix an appendectomy is often the necessary course of action, though increasingly, antibiotics may be recommended and used to treat the infection without the need for surgical intervention — depending on the severity of the case and other health factors in the individual patient.

If the problem is left untreated, the pressure in the organ will increase until the appendix ruptures , or bursts. When the appendix bursts, it spreads its content throughout the abdomen, potentially infecting the peritoneum, which is the silk-like membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. A peritoneum infection, called peritonitis , can then lead to sepsis , a complication that's potentially deadly if not treated aggressively.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: May 30, Medically Reviewed.

The role of the appendix has long been something of a mystery, but some experts now believe they've discovered its function. The 'Safe House' Theory of the Appendix Some scientists now believe the appendix is not useless after all, and may help our guts recover after a gastrointestinal disease strikes. Sources of blockage include, among other things: Hard pieces of stool Parasites or intestinal worms Ingested objects, including air gun pellets and pins Abdominal trauma GI tract ulcers Enlarged appendix lymphatic tissue The infection or obstruction causes the bacteria in the appendix to grow out of control, and the organ can fill with pus and swell.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Appendix Anatomy. Encyclopaedia Brittanica. December April 30, Appendix Evolved More Than 30 Times.