THE OPERATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE APPENDIX IN NORMAL SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONS
THE OPERATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE APPENDIX IN NORMAL SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONS
Due to the high probability of its rupturing, the appendix has often been seen more as a nuisance rather than an important part of the human anatomy. Due to this misconception, a significant portion of the worlds population had undergone, if not, are already considering, the process of appendectomy. However, this surgery is now being treated as a last resort especially for those who suffer from the pain of appendicitis. This is due to the fact that modern research now proves that this small organ found at the tip of the intestines (on the cecum to be more specific) actually performs several important functions in the human body.
Appendicitis, or the inflammation and eventual rupturing of the vermiform appendix can be quite debilitating for a person especially when it is about to lead into Peritonitis. This serious disease can be caused by a number of different reasons that consequently lead to sepsis. First, it can be triggered by the tube being plugged by hard fecal matter. Another way is by a significant quantity of intestinal worms blocking the normal drainage function of the structure. Through these causes, and many others, the lymph nodes in the appendix become enlarged thus increasing the glandular tissue of the organ. Because of this, the lumen becomes obstructed thus leading to its susceptibility to various bacterial infections such as Escherichia coli .
The above brief description of appendicitis may make it seem that having the appendix removed can prevent a person from going through all that anguish in the first place. Some might even claim that one can properly function without this organ and thus lead to the notion that this structure is completely useless (therefore vestigial). However, this idea can be refuted by the fact that most people, due to necessity, can operate properly without one kidney, one lung, or even some appendages. This, however, does not give evidence to the fact that these organs are in any manner worthless. This merely gives testament to the bodies great ability to adjust to the inadequacies it undergoes upon removal of some of its parts and not to the fact that the parts are utterly unimportant to the body.
In 1987, the book “Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health” came up with its definition of the appendix and it reads as follows, “appendix- an apparently useless structure, it can be the source of a serious illness." Such a closed statement, especially from a well-referenced book, can be quite deceiving particularly since it may lead to a variety of misconceptions. Modern medicine (and the newer volumes of this book), however, has now rethought its position regarding the importance of this small organ principally in its contributions to the digestive and lymphatic systems. This is due to the fact that recent studies have led to the possible discovery of some problems (mucinous tumors) that the body undergoes after the appendix had been removed. Although quite debated regarding its origins, there are however new findings that associate the removal of the appendix with the mucinous tumors found in some women’s ovaries. While initially thought that the tumors stem from irregularities in the ovaries of all sufferers, it is now rather argued that the cause might actually be due to the absence of the appendix. This argument began when recent observations show that within these tumors, goblet cells can be found contained in their structures thus linking them to the appendix. Another reason is that most, if not all, these women have had their appendices removed for various reasons thus giving a pattern between the onset of this type of tumor and the removal the appendix. Although the actual course of how these mucinous tumors originate from goblet cells is unknown, it is however quite apparent that they are linked to the absence of the appendix because these goblet cells can only be found contained in this structure. Therefore, through the knowledge that the removal of the appendix might actually cause certain types of tumors, it is thus established that this structure cannot possibly be expendable.
With this in mind, it is thus necessary to review and understand what services the appendix actually performs within the human body. As mentioned earlier, this structure contains units called goblet cells, which aids in the process of digestion. These goblet cells can be specifically found in the structures called crypts of Lieberkuhn within the appendix. These cells are especially important at the end of the digestion process (approximately at 10-15 hours into the progression) when the large intestines start to reabsorb the remaining liquid in the waste matter thus making the feces more solid. Since about 8.9 liters of liquid is reabsorbed by both the small and large intestines during this process, the feces now has less fluidity in order to pass through the colon (which is the considerable part of the large intestines) since only about 100 ml of water is left to keep the feces from becoming completely rigid. Because of this, a form of lubrication is therefore necessary to properly continue digestion and excretion thus necessitating the contribution of the goblet cells. The primary function of the goblet cells is the production of mucous that is then used by the colon to lubricate itself thus aiding in the movement of the waste matter. Through this, proper movement of the digested matter is ensured and proper functioning of digestion is established.
Another contribution of the appendix to the human anatomy is by its active participation in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of a fluid called lymph (95 percent water) which flows through specific lymphatic vessels thus performing a number of important functions within the human anatomy: First, it drains tissue spaces within the body of excess interstitial fluid thus ensuring their proper function. In addition to this, it also operates as a transport system for lipids (that is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract) and eventually moving them into the blood stream. Lastly, it also carries out immune responses which targets specific invaders and irregular cells thus eliminating these unwanted abnormalities. The appendix has a direct relationship with this system due to its richness in lymphoid tissue. Because of this, it therefore functions as a sift or filter thus removing bacteria and other harmful entities from the intestines. Without this, the colon (and other structures in the vicinity) may undergo infection and might even trigger septic shock. Thus, through the presence of lymphatic vessels in the appendix, it therefore ensures the proper health of the intestines hence proving its importance to the human anatomy.
In addition to these reasons, another contribution of the appendix to the body is its possible production of antibodies that help combat a variety of serious diseases. According to the book “Vestigial Organs are Fully Functional,” a study conducted by Dr. Howard R. Bierman shows the co-relation between those who suffer from a number of debilitating diseases and their lack of the appendix. His findings show that on hundreds of his patients who suffer from Leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, cancer of the colon, and cancer of the ovaries, 84 percent of them had their appendices removed in their childhood(Bergman and Howe, 45). Through this, it can be seen that there is a positive co-relation between the early removal of the appendix and the onset of these diseases. Moreover, one might even venture to conclude that this organ has the direct capacity to prevent these problems due to its ability to make certain defenses against bacterial and viral infection. Although quite presumptive, it might actually be possible especially since some pathogens, such as the Epstein-Barr virus which is known to cause lymphoma, can be contracted through consumption of undercooked food. Hence, although it is not proven, the appendix might actually have the capacity to prevent a variety of deadly diseases by giving the body the protection it needs through the production of numerous antibodies that combat pathogens that enter the body via food consumption.
In conclusion, early misconceptions have led to the indiscriminate removal of the appendix from the body. And due to early scientists’ presumptions, the importance of this organ had been overlooked and had not been discovered until recent times. Nonetheless, it is now quite proven (although some people still mistakenly say otherwise) that the appendix has a variety of important occupations within the human anatomy. As stated above, this structure helps in the proper movement and removal of waste matter in the digestive system, it also contains lymphatic vessels that regulate pathogens, and lastly, it might even produce early defenses that prevent the contraction of deadly diseases. Therefore, through these evidences, it is hence quite obvious that the appendix is not at all a remnant of a once important organ but is itself an integral structure within the human body.
