In the eyes of many people, the appendix seems to be very "chicken ribs", useless, and even think that it is a "time bomb", I do not know when it will suddenly hurt. In fact, scientific research in recent years has found that the appendix is not useless.

The appendix is a slender and curved tube sac, one end of the opening in the cecum, the other end is closed, twisted, like earthworms, so it is also known as "earthworm process". Although it is a part of the intestinal tract, it is different from the "endless flow" of the large intestine and the small intestine. Under normal circumstances, the appendix is hardly "visited" by food residues ". Despite some "marginalization," the appendix contains powerful capabilities.

Immunomodulatory effect: The appendix mucosa and submucosa contain lymphoid tissue, which has a certain effect on resisting bacteria and is an important part of the human immune system. These lymphoid tissues are present after birth, reaching a peak at 12-20 years old, decreasing significantly at 30 years old, and disappearing at about 60 years old. In childhood, human intestinal function is relatively weak and vulnerable to external factors. At this time, the lymphatic tissue of the appendix plays an obvious protective role.

Flora regulation: Studies have found that lymphocytes in the appendix can help it reserve beneficial flora, which is essential for maintaining the balance of flora in the human body. If the beneficial flora in the intestines and stomach is the "front-line force", then the beneficial flora in the appendix is the "reserve force". When the "front-line troops" are greatly reduced due to fighting germs, the "reserve army" will send reinforcements to help maintain the balance of intestinal flora. Clinical data show that many patients with appendectomy will not only increase the incidence of intestinal flora imbalance, but also decrease intestinal immunity, and have intermittent symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and other dyspepsia.

The narrow opening of the appendix is still a "dead end", and with age, this "alley" will become narrower and narrower. This structural feature makes the appendix prone to obstruction. When indigestion or intestinal peristalsis function is poor, food residue can not be quickly discharged from the intestinal tract, these nowhere to go residue if the "fork in the road", mistakenly into the appendix, will rub its mucosa, causing mechanical stimulation, causing inflammation. Bacteria can even invade blood vessels from the damaged mucosa, causing systemic infection, resulting in high fever, chills and other symptoms. Occurred after obstruction, the appendix mucosa will secrete mucus, after the accumulation of the lumen pressure rise, hinder blood circulation, so that inflammation. Appendiceal loose tissue, once the infection is prone to perforation, resulting in abscess or even intestinal fistula, life-threatening. In addition to food debris, bezoars and even parasites (such as roundworms, etc.) may also enter the appendix and induce inflammation. Among them, the fecal stone is due to the food residue in the intestinal tract stay too long, the water is sucked dry, into a dry, hard dung, the greatest harm to the appendix.

Due to the large differences in the position of the appendix and the different adjacent relationships, different symptoms and signs may occur when the appendix is inflamed, which adds complexity to the diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis. When the following three situations occur, beware of appendicitis. First, metastatic right lower abdominal pain is the key to identify appendicitis. Usually, some patients first feel dull pain in the heart fossa or around the umbilicus, and then gradually aggravate it. After a period of time (a few hours or even a day), the pain transfers to the right lower abdomen, and there may be paroxysmal aggravation. Second, there is "point tenderness". There is a "Mc's point" (also known as appendix point) at the outer 1/3 of the line from the upper edge of the right ilium to the navel. If you press it, you feel very hard and your abdominal pain is aggravated, which may be appendicitis. Third, the occurrence of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms at the same time, such as loss of appetite, abdominal distension, diarrhea, etc., bending, bending, and lateral positions can help relieve, and should be more vigilant.