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My friend was rushed to the hospital to have his appendix taken out. What
is an appendix, what's it look like, what's it do, and why do we have one?
Signed, Just Curious
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Dear Just Curious:
What's a human appendix do? Nothing much! Your appendix is a U- shaped, worm-like pouch that hangs
off your large intestine. As far, as anyone knows, it has no current purpose whatsoever! It's just
a 4-inch long leftover. Scientists think that, long ago, it may have helped your human ancestors
digest leaves and grasses. But now, in case you haven't noticed, leaves and grasses aren't a big
part of the human diet! There are mammals, however, who eat lots of leaves and grass, and have a
working appendix! Who? Why rabbits and wombats, for example. They have appendixes and they use
them! -For them, bacteria inside the appendix helps digest their all-plant diet.
Now just because you don't have a use for your appendix doesn't mean, however, that something
can't go wrong. Every once in a while, some human's appendix will get infected. When that happens
it's inflamed, very sore, and swollen. If that happens to you, you need to see a doctor. Often,
your doctor will suggest surgery to remove the infection and to ensure that your appendix doesn't
burst and cause the infection to spread to other areas of your body. But the surgery is nothing to
worry about. Your doctor will simply go in and snip out your appendix and sew you back up. When
this happens, you end up with a small healed incision mark that you can proudly display at the
pool! You humans always amaze me!
Signed,
Wendell
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