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Appendix – Function, Appendicitis and Treatment

The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Inflammation of the appendix, called appendicitis, is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment.

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Things worth knowing about "Appendix"

The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Inflammation of the appendix, called appendicitis, is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment.

What Is the Appendix?

The appendix, formally known as the appendix vermiformis or vermiform appendix, is a small, tube-shaped pouch attached to the cecum at the junction of the small and large intestines. It is typically located in the lower right abdomen and measures approximately 5 to 10 cm in length with a diameter of about 6 to 8 mm.

Function of the Appendix

For a long time, the appendix was considered a vestigial organ with no significant function. However, more recent research suggests it may play a role in the immune system. Some scientists propose that the appendix acts as a reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria, helping to repopulate the gut microbiome after gastrointestinal illness. The appendix contains a high concentration of lymphoid tissue, which supports immune activity.

Appendicitis – Inflammation of the Appendix

Appendicitis is the most common disease of the appendix. It occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, often by hardened stool (fecaliths), foreign material, or swollen lymph tissue following an infection, leading to bacterial overgrowth and inflammation.

Symptoms

Pain that typically begins around the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Low-grade fever
Loss of appetite
Tenderness at the McBurney point (between the navel and the right hip bone)

Diagnosis

Physical examination with specific pressure tests (e.g., rebound tenderness)
Blood tests: elevated white blood cell count and CRP levels indicating inflammation
Ultrasound of the abdomen
Computed tomography (CT) scan for unclear cases

Treatment

The standard treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix, known as an appendectomy. This is most commonly performed as a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. In select cases of uncomplicated appendicitis, antibiotic therapy alone may be considered, but surgery remains the primary treatment of choice.

Complications

If appendicitis is left untreated, the appendix may rupture (perforate), spilling infectious material into the abdominal cavity. This can cause a life-threatening condition called peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining), which requires immediate surgical intervention.

Prevalence

Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain and emergency surgery worldwide. It most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 10 and 30, but it can occur at any age.

References

Andersson RE. - Meta-analysis of the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of appendicitis. - British Journal of Surgery, 2004.
Smink D, Soybel D. - Appendix and appendectomy. - UpToDate, 2023.
World Gastroenterology Organisation - Guidelines on acute appendicitis, 2022.

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