What does our appendix do?
Arianne Jones
Every organ in our body has an incredible function that helps us and our bodies to survive and thrive. Our heart helps pump blood around our body so our cells can receive oxygen and nutrients. Our brain co-ordinates our body and helps us think complex thoughts. These are just some examples. Our appendix also has some important jobs and works hard to do its part!
The appendix is found in 533 mammalian species and looks after each one of them. However, I want to focus on one mammal – the human. In our bodies the appendix sits where your small intestine and your large intestine meet and looks like a 5-10 centimetres long worm. If you place your hand on your lower right belly, you will be on ‘McBurney’s Point’. This is just the name of the area on your tummy that is an approximate of where the appendix is on your body!
The appendix is very little, and scientists used to know little about it! However, we have learnt it plays a role in humans’ (and other mammals’) health. Within our complex bodies, we have billions of bacteria. Wait, scratch that, we actually have TRILLIONS. These bacteria can be good or bad – the good bacteria help us digest our food, produce vitamins, and fight off the bad bacteria. Bad bacteria can make us sick, so it is important we can fight against it. The appendix acts as a hotel for the good bacteria, storing them until they are needed. Additionally, recent research has discovered lymphoid cells within it. These are white blood cells that include B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, each with distinct roles in immune function. B cells produce antibodies, T cells coordinate immune responses and kill infected cells, and natural killer cells directly attack virus-infected or cancerous cells. This keeps us healthy and strong!
Although it is very clear that the appendix is very helpful, sometimes doctors have to remove it. A common issue with the appendix is call ‘appendicitis’. This is where the appendix gets blocked or overreacts to a job it has been asked to do – similar to us getting stressed or anxious! It can expand, or even burst – which can be very dangerous for our body. Symptoms are usually pain in McBurney’s point, and nausea/vomiting as well. Doctors perform a procedure called an ‘appendectomy’ to remove the appendix. This is not harmful to our body as we have a high-functioning, constantly evolving immune system in other parts of our body that can compensate.
In the end, every part of our body is like a team member helping us stay happy and healthy. The appendix might be small, but it is amazing! It keeps good bacteria safe and has special cells that fight off germs. But sometimes, it can get sick too, and doctors might need to remove it. But don’t worry, our body can still stay strong without it, thanks to our immune system!