Science Reset: Our Appendix Goes From Useless Organ to Gut Guardian
New research from Duke University regarding the human appendix is transforming our understanding of the role of this historically misunderstood organ on our health.
For over a century, medical science largely considered the human appendix a vestigial organ—a leftover from evolution with no significant function. It was often only discussed in the context of appendicitis, a potentially dangerous inflammation that often required surgical removal.
Duke University’s Ground-breaking Research
Recent research from Duke University has overturned this long-standing view by revealing two surprising and important roles for the appendix:
1. A “Safe House” for Beneficial Gut Bacteria
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The appendix is now believed to act as a reservoir or safe haven for good bacteria in your gut.
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After events like diarrheal illness or antibiotic use, which can flush out intestinal flora, the appendix helps repopulate the gut with healthy microbes.
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This function is vital for immune system regulation, digestion, and overall health.
Why it’s important:
Maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria is critical for everything from digestion to mood to immune response. This means the appendix may play a key role in gut resilience and recovery.
2. A Secondary Neural Control Center
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The study also found that the appendix contains dense clusters of nervous tissue—more than previously recognized.
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This has led researchers to propose that the appendix may function as a secondary neural control center for the digestive system.
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It could help coordinate immune responses and communicate with the enteric nervous system, sometimes called the “second brain” in the gut.
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Why it’s important:
This suggests the appendix might have a more active and regulatory role in digestive health than previously thought.
Popular science writer, neil degrasse tyson explains:
“This small, worm-like organ that doctors routinely remove contains more nerve cells than previously thought and directly communicates with your brain.
The breakthrough came when scientists used advanced imaging techniques to map the appendix’s neural networks. They discovered it contains over 200 million neurons – more than the spinal cord – arranged in complex patterns that process information independently. The appendix can actually “remember” bacterial infections and coordinate immune responses without input from the central nervous system.Most shocking was the finding that people without an appendix show altered gut-brain communication patterns. Their digestive systems respond more slowly to stress, they have different emotional responses to certain foods, and they’re more susceptible to recurring intestinal infections. The appendix appears to act as a biological backup drive, storing copies of beneficial bacteria and neural pathways that can repopulate the gut after illness.”
Implications of the Research
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Medical Education: These findings challenge what medical students have been taught for over 100 years.
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Surgery Practices: While appendectomies will still be necessary in cases of appendicitis, there may be greater efforts to preserve the appendix when possible.
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Digestive & Immune Research: This opens new avenues for research into gut health, the microbiome, and immune disorders.
Summary
The Duke University study reveals that the human appendix is not useless, but rather:
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A critical storage site for healthy gut bacteria, aiding recovery from illness.
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A potential neural hub involved in digestive and immune system coordination.
This fundamentally reshapes our understanding of the human body and the evolutionary purpose of the appendix.
Source Study
Bollinger, R. R., et al. (2007). Biofilms in the large bowel suggest an apparent function of the human vermiform appendix. Journal of Theoretical Biology.
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Seriously
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I always thought it ignorance, at best, stupidity at worst, that an organ in the body should be considered superfluous. Now, let’s see how long the dogma persists….
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crackpot
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Start by believing a nonsensical “greenhouse gas theory,” end by planning to blot out the sun.
Start by believing autogenesis and evolution from ooze to DNA 3 billion base pairs long, end by thinking the appendix it builds is just for show.
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VOWG
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Yet the little sucker has the ability to kill us.
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Jerry Krause
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Hi John and VOWG,
John, you wrote “The breakthrough came when scientists used advanced imaging techniques to map the appendix’s neural networks. They discovered it contains over 200 million neurons – more than the spinal cord – arranged in complex patterns that process information independently. The appendix can actually “remember” bacterial infections and coordinate immune responses without input from the central nervous system.” When the appendix is stated to “process information independently” it has become a BRAIN.
And is being ignored is what VOWG wrote “the little sucker has the ability to kill us.” which is the reason my infected appendix was removed.
Have a good day
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VOWG
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Mine as well.
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crackpot
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A limb with gangrene can kill you as well. It doesn’t mean it’s a useless result of a random process.
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Jerry Krause
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Hi Crackpot,
True, but I doubt anyone is proposing the limb is acting as the body’s brain which is generally considered to be controlling the limb’s actions.
Have a good day
Reply
Jerry Krause
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Hi John,
VOWG is correct when he wrote “the little sucker has the ability to kill us.” Which was why my appendix was removed when it become infected.
Have a good day
Reply
Jerry Krause
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Hi John O’Sullivan CEO, Principia Scientific International,
PSI has a problem because my comments are posted when I submit them. But when I leave PSI and come back to see if any one else has made a comment–my comment is gone.
Reply
Jerry Krause
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Hi PSI Editor,
PSI has a problem. My posted comments are not remaking You have solved this problem before for a brief period; but now it is back.
Reply