Trivia Junction

A Compendium of trivia I find interesting
...for the curious

The appendix

The appendix a small pouch located near the juncture of the large and small intestines – has long been denigrated as vestigial or useless, just something that occasionally bursts, sending its owner to the emergency room.

But new research by Duke University scientists suggests the appendix may actually be a safe house for beneficial bacteria living in the human gut.

In times of severe gastrointestinal distress, such as a bout of diarrhea, the human gut can be completely voided of bacteria needed for digestion. But bacteria tucked inside the appendix, protected by the body's immune system, may ride out the illness, then sally forth to repopulate the intestines.

“The abundance of circumstantial evidence makes a strong case for the role of the appendix as a place where the good bacteria can live safe and undisturbed until they are needed,” said William Parker, who helped conduct the study.

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