The Appendix: Useful and in Fact Promising

08-24-2009 • LiveScience

The body's appendix has long been thought of as nothing more than a worthless evolutionary artifact, good for nothing save a potentially lethal case of inflammation.

Now researchers suggest the appendix is a lot more than a useless remnant. Not only was it recently proposed to actually possess a critical function, but scientists now find it appears in nature a lot more often than before thought. And it's possible some of this organ's ancient uses could be recruited by physicians to help the human body fight disease more effectively.

2 Comments in Response to The Appendix: Useful and in Fact Promising

Comment by PureTrust

Entered on: 8/25/2009 3:47:24 PM

Oriental medicine has long been aware that the slimey coating excreted by the appendix coats the stool, thereby protecting the large intestine and rectum from damage.

Comment by foundZero

Entered on: 8/24/2009 11:29:46 PM

Oh Gods DAMMIT AND DAMMIT AGAIN!

Don't even tell me what the market top for an appendix is when I just sold mine last week for $50.

WHERE THE HELL WERE DENNINGER AND MISH TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS LITTLE TIDBIT OF NEWS?

I'll never trust the deflationists again. People, don't be like me and short your organs. We can get way more for them in emerging Asian markets like Schiff says.

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