The presence of the appendix - that pocket hanging from the entrance to the large intestine - has always aroused the curiosity of scientists, and they wondered about its usefulness. What is the truth about this organ?

We may finally have the answer.

According to a study published in the Journal of Anatomy, the appendix gives a selective advantage, because its presence appears to be associated with increased longevity, according to a report by Florence Roser in the French newspaper Le Monde.

"Appendicitis reduces the risk of developing ulcerative colitis by 75%," said study coordinator Eric Ogier-Denis, of the National Institute of Health and Medical Research, especially that this inflammation strengthens the immune system, and thus has a protective effect.

The appendix is ​​a lymphoid organ that hosts many immune cells, B and T lymphocytes, where “these cells are trained to recognize intestinal microbes, food antigens, and contaminants… to acquire a memory in which to place substances to be tolerated or eliminated.” of them”, explains Eric Augier-Denis.


After the age of 25 or 30 years, the appendix involuntarily loses this educational function, and therefore the immunologist wonders, can this organ have an effect on longevity?

And that's before he contacted Michelle Loren, who compared several types of appendixes for more than 10 years.

And Michel Lorraine, director of research at the French National Center and a participant in the study, confirms that the appendix first appeared in mammals at least 80 million years ago.

During the evolutionary history, at least 16 independent appearances were observed in different breeds of mammals, but he disappeared only once, and this clear discrepancy - according to the researcher - indicates that the appendix "grants a selective advantage", and it is found in a minority of somewhat distant species, Like koalas, beavers, manatees, platypuses, and great apes, habitats, diets, and social organizations do not appear to be related to their existence.

The authors reviewed data for 258 mammal species, 39 with appendix and 219 without appendix, and then, using statistical models designed by researcher Jeremy Bardeen, examined whether the presence of the appendix was related to the actual maximum longevity of the species considered.


bacteria reserve

The scientists found - according to the author - that "mammals with an appendix, at equal mass, have an average lifespan of 60% longer, compared to mammals without an appendix," says Maxime Collard, first author of the study and a resident of Paris hospitals. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery.

When compared, the study found that the lifespan of a goat without an appendage was 22 years at the maximum, while the chimpanzee equivalent in mass lived to 59 years, and a black bear without a appendage had a maximum lifespan of 34 years, while The gorilla equivalent in the block is 60 years old.

According to the study, the two hypotheses of the longevity gain may explain that the appendix enhances the education of the intestinal immune system, or that this appendix that stands at the entrance to this narrow structure collects organisms isolated from the content of the colon, and as a result extends the life span, to show that this small twisted pocket - who was looking at him in amazement - is after all a precious thing.