The Appendix
By J.N.R Dutton
@jnrdutton (3447)
United States
October 5, 2019 8:27pm CST
A former friend of mine used to argue that because we could live without our appendix, it allegedly proved the appendix was useless.
By that "logic", being able to survive without a particular limb "proves" the limb is useless (I know it really doesn't, I was making a point that her logic was flawed.)
In actuality, the appendix is not useless, it serves a function within the immune system. Years ago that wasn't known, so many assumed and promoted the idea that the appendix was useless.
6 people like this
6 responses
@Fa_Maverick (9491)
• Australia
17 Dec 19
The appendix is also thought to serve a role in digestion. In an anthropological course I undertook we were taught that some Indigenous Australians who still live of the land and eat things such as bark have enzyme activity in the appendix. I don't remember the name for said enzyme but I do remember someone nicknaming it barkase.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9308)
• Canada
6 Oct 19
That makes the appendix just as important as the lymph nodes. You may be able to live without it, but when it's infected the result can be fatal. It's direct connection to the immune system makes it so. Doesn't it also work in affiliation with the liver and kidneys to filter toxins from the blood system?
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@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
6 Oct 19
it's probably flawed logic, too, but the first thing that came to mind is then men shouldn't have nipples
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
6 Oct 19
I also thought that the appendix has no sense to be in the body. But come to think of it that nature doesn't do silly thing such as putting a part that has no function.
@parpande (1515)
• Bangalore, India
17 Dec 19
If I recollect my school days I am able to recall something called as vestigial organs , even our wisdom tooth falls under a similar category.
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
6 Oct 19
Maybe at one time in the past, the appendix served a much larger function. We used to have tails that we don't need anymore but still have a tailbone. Maybe the appendix is a leftover from days gone by...still needed but not as much? Just a thought.
@jnrdutton (3447)
• United States
6 Oct 19
@LindaOHio I can understand the confusion,many people are deeply invested in the idea of the vestigial tail, it's been taught in schools for years after all.
So, they promote the idea even though it's erroneous.
1 person likes this
