Sunday, January 30, 2011

WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE APPENDIXES?

The vermiform appendix—or, simply, the appendix—is a worm like tube that has only one end and is connected to the caecum in the right lower abdomen of humans Its name isfrom the Latin word meaning “worm like ”

The appendix is prone to becoming infected, an ailment known as appendicitis that causes it to become inflamed and painful, at which point it must be removed via anoperation known as an appendectomy—because it burst sand floods the bloodstream with toxins, which can prove fatal Appendicitis is less common in people whose diet is high in fiber, consisting of a lot of fruit and vegetables Giventhat the appendix is so often removed without any later consequences to the person, people often question why we haveone in the first place

The purpose and function of the appendix are not fully understood and remain subjects of debate Some believe the appendix plays a role in our immune systems and is a usefulorgan of the lymphatic system, others think it has a function that has not yet been discovered and still others think that it’s needed for only a short time after we are born However,the traditional and still prevailing view is that it was an organ that played a practical role in thedigestive systemsof our vegetarian ancestors It has not disappeared through evolution and has remained with us as a vestigial organ, having no function today This theory is supported by the factthat some modern animals have a similar organ that functions to process fiber, just as the appendix might have done for our ancestors.

No comments:

Post a Comment