Appendix

Yesterday, my sister had her appendix out. She said the operation was so painful, she had a grumbling appendix so the doctor took her appendix out. She is 14 years old (2 years younger than me). She studies in a boarding school known as Sekolah Tun Fatimah in Johore Bharu.

this song is for my sister+get well soon (one of her favourite song)

my sweet little sis....

Vermiform appendix

In human anatomy, the vermiform appendix (or appendix, pl. appendices) is a blind ended tube connected to the cecum, from which it develops embryo logically. The term "vermiform" comes from Latin and means "wormlike in appearance". The cecum is the first pouch-like structure of the colon. The appendix is near the junction of the small intestines and large intestines.

The appendix averages 100 mm in length, but can range from 20 to 200 mm. The diameter of the appendix is usually less than 7 to 8 mm. The longest appendix ever removed was that of a Pakistani man on June 11, 2003, at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, measuring 235 mm (9.2 in) in length. Whether the appendix has a function, it is routinely removed without any ill effects or side effects.

Some experts believe that the appendix was used for digesting leaves as primates. Over time, we have eaten less vegetable and have evolved, over millions of years, for this organ to be smaller to make room for our stomach.

There have been cases of people who have been found, usually on laparoscopy or laparotomy, to have a congenital absence of their appendix. There have been no reports of impaired immune or gastrointestinal function in these people.

Diseases

The most common diseases of the appendix (in humans) are appendicitis and carcinoid tumors. Appendix cancer accounts for about 1 in 200 of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Adenomas also (rarely) present.

Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. Virtually all cases of Appendicitis require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, the appendix will rupture leading to peritonitis then shock and if continued untreated death. Pain often begins in the center of the abdomen where the lining of the stomach is irritated then moves lower right as the condition develops, it is important to note that this makes diagnoses difficult in the early stages that only an MRI can detect. Appendicitis presents as pain in the right lower quadrant with rebound tenderness. In particular, it presents at McBurney's Point, 1/3 of the way along a line drawn from the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine to the Umbilicus. Rebound tenderness is when it does not hurt to press on the point but it hurts greatly when the pressure is released, or when the skin rebounds. Typically, point (skin) pain is not present until the parietal peritoneum is inflamed as well. Fever and immune system response are also characteristic of appendicitis. It is important to see a physician if stomach pain is present.

The surgical removal of the vermiform appendix is called an appendicectomy (or appendectomy). This procedure is normally performed as an emergency procedure, when the patient is suffering from acute appendicitis. In the absence of surgical facilities, intravenous antibiotics are used to delay or avoid the onset of sepsis; it is now recognized that many cases will resolve when treated non-operatively. In some cases the appendicitis resolves completely; more often, an inflammatory mass forms around the appendix. This is a relative contraindication to surgery.