Evolution of the appendix: A biological 'remnant' no more
Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 22:56
in Health & Medicine
DURHAM, N.C. -- The lowly appendix, long-regarded as a useless evolutionary artifact, won newfound respect two years ago when researchers at Duke University Medical Center proposed that it actually serves a critical function. The appendix, they said, is a safe haven where good bacteria could hang out until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea, for example.