It also acts as a safe reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria during times of gastrointestinal distress, helping repopulate good bacteria throughout the rest of the gut after such issues.
It supports the immune system by acting to help fight off bad things in the gut and concentrating immune tissue.
The appendix serves several functions in the body.
The appendix is not, in fact, useless. In recent years, scientists have discovered that it serves several functions in the body. The first function of the appendix is supporting the immune system by acting to help fight off bad things in the gut and concentrating immune tissue. The second function of the appendix is serving as a safe reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria during times of gastrointestinal distress, helping repopulate good bacteria throughout the rest of the gut after such issues.
The appendix is a small organ located in the abdomen that projects off the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine. It can be identified by drawing a line between your belly button and pelvis two-thirds down.
Scientists used to believe that humans had an extra appendix as it was not known what its function was. However, recent research has shown that it serves several functions in the body.
The first function of the appendix is supporting the immune system by acting to help fight off bad things in the gut and concentrating immune tissue.
The second function of the appendix is serving as a safe reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria during times of gastrointestinal distress. It helps repopulate good bacteria throughout the rest of the gut after such issues.
Accuracy
Appendicitis occurs when food particles get stuck in the appendix and cut off blood supply. It tends to happen more frequently in industrialized countries with lower fiber content diets.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses anecdotal evidence to support their claims about the appendix and its functions. They also use a false dilemma when discussing the causes of appendicitis, presenting only two options without considering other possible factors that may contribute to this condition.
The article relies heavily on personal anecdotes from the author's own experience with appendicitis and their subsequent research into its functions. This is a form of informal fallacy known as 'appeals to authority', where the credibility of the source is used to support claims without providing evidence.
When discussing the causes of appendicitis, the article presents only two options: low fiber content in diets or an overactive immune system due to lack of exposure to pathogens. This is a form of informal fallacy known as 'false dilemma', where only limited alternatives are presented without considering other possible factors that may contribute to the condition.
Bias
(85%)
The article presents a balanced view of the appendix and its functions. The author acknowledges that it has been previously thought to be useless but provides evidence from recent research showing that it serves important roles in supporting the immune system and acting as a safe reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria.
]It turns out that the appendix is good for something after all.
Scientists used to believe that humans had an extra appendix as it was not known what its function was.
Accuracy
Appendicitis occurs when food particles get stuck in the appendix and cut off blood supply.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the author's research as evidence that the appendix is not a vestigial organ. The article also uses inflammatory rhetoric when it describes the ruptured appendix as life-threatening.
> She had appendicitis at age 12. Now she’s researching why the appendix matters : Short Wave
> Think it’s time to give another part of the human body its due? Email us at shortwave@npr.org
< Amelia Earhart Researchers are still trying to figure out what happened to aviator Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the South Pacific in 1937 >
The appendix is a small organ located in the abdomen that serves two related functions: supporting the immune system and acting as a safe reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria.
Appendicitis occurs when food particles get stuck in the appendix and cut off blood supply. It tends to happen more frequently in industrialized countries with lower fiber content diets.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses anecdotal evidence to make claims about the appendix's functions and benefits without providing any scientific studies or research to back up their statements. Additionally, the author relies on personal experiences and opinions rather than objective data or facts.
The article mentions that Smith grew up to be a professor of anatomy at Midwestern University and editor-in-chief of a journal called The Anatomical Record. However, this does not provide any evidence for the appendix's functions or benefits.
Bias
(85%)
The author has a clear bias towards the idea that the appendix is not useless and serves important functions. The author uses language such as 'vestigial' to describe it in a positive way and implies that its removal can have negative health consequences.
]I woke up feeling just a little bit nauseous and I wasn’t sure why. Throughout the course of the day, I started to feel worse and worse, and started to develop pain in the abdomen,
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Selena Simmons-Duffin has a conflict of interest on the topic of 'appendix' as she is an author and editor for The Anatomical Record. She also has a personal relationship with Charles Darwin who wrote about the appendix in his book On the Origin of Species.
Charles Darwin's book On the Origin of Species discusses the role of evolution in shaping human organs, including mentioning that humans have a vestigial organ called their appendix.
Selena Simmons-Duffin is listed as both an author and editor for The Anatomical Record, which published an article on the function of the appendix.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of evolutionary anatomy and fossil record as they are affiliated with Midwestern University which is involved in research related to these topics.
