After all, the appendix may not be so useless, says new research.

At school, we learn that the evolution of human beings keeps happening, so we still have parts in our bodies that are of little use, such as the appendix, wisdom teeth, and coccyx. However, new studies suggest that at least the appendix should not be on this list, as it does have a function!

According to researchers at Midwestern University in the USA, the appendix has disappeared and reappeared several times over the last 11 million years. And not just in humans: the organ exists in many mammals, depending on need. Throughout evolution, the appendix is ​​believed to have evolved 29 times - up to 41 times - and “disappeared” only 12 times.

And since this structure reappears even after losing its meaning, it may not be that disposable. The appendix is ​​believed to be the remnant of an organ that was very useful to early man, having played such an important role in evolution that this is why it still remains a remnant. It is as if there is little evolutionary pressure for it to disappear completely.

Trace of organ or structure still needed?

The appendix throughout history

The main hypothesis for the appendix's existence is that it would be a nook for intestinal bacteria beneficial to the human body. A study published in 2012 found that people without the organ are 4 times more likely to develop colitis by the bacterium Clostridium difficile, which causes diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain.

In the new survey, data on the existence or absence of the appendix has been gathered from 533 mammalian species over the last 11.2 million years. Since he appeared in any specific animal, he has rarely disappeared. It evolved differently in each species, but almost always remained present, showing that it must have some adaptive function behind its existence.

With this deduction, an analysis of ecological factors, such as social behaviors, diet, habitat and climate, was made to determine if this influenced the permanence of the organ in a given species. Those who maintained or developed the appendix had the highest average concentrations of cecum lymphoid tissue - a small part of the intestine.

Cecum region is responsible for absorbing some nutrients from food

Conclusion? Calm down there ...

Following this discovery, scientists have deduced that the appendix may play an important role in the immune system of species, as lymphatic tissue stimulates the growth of intestinal bacteria that are good for health. This relationship had been suggested earlier, but now the new data have provided quantitative validation for this theory.

However, the vast majority of people who remove the appendix do not experience any long-term side effects. For this reason the study is not yet conclusive, but it already sheds more light on which path the researchers should follow in order to understand the function of this part considered useless in the human body.

Despite this new information, always be aware of pain in this region, as appendicitis can even kill if not treated urgently