Why is the appendix in the human body shrinking??

Question

why is the appendix in the human body shrinking?... what is the effect of this...

and what purpose does the appendix serve???

Answer 1

it is getting smaller because it is not needed any more.

Answer 2

The appendix is shrinking because it is what is commonly referred to as a vestigial organ.  Something which is vestigial has lost its original purpose and goes into a state of degeneration, atrophy, or takes a rudimentary form.  Within humans the appendix is not the only vestigial organ.  To add to our vestigial biology we can list the coccyz, plica semilunaris and our wisdom teeth.  The reason why we originally evolved our appendix was to digest cellulous, but as our omnivore diet shifted more towards the cunsumption of meat our appendix lost its full use and atrophied.  I don’t believe that it will ever completely disappear because we do still consume some cellulite in our diet, but obviously it is no longer a neccesity as is shown by those who have it removed and continue to function normally without any adverse side effests.

Answer 3

We don't need it, humans will probably eventually be born without them

Answer 4

The appendix use to be used in the digestive process of our ancestors. They use to eat wood and rocks and stuff like that and the appendix digested it. We don't really eat rocks or wood anymore so it just shrinks.

Answer 5

depending on the structure of the appendix, it will shrink when,   that little pouch is not filled with particles from the large intestines..   what purpose,  wellMedical literature shows that the appendix is not generally credited with significant function. The appendix is rich in infection-fighting lymphoid cells, suggesting that it might play a role in the immune system. Whether the appendix has a function, it is routinely removed without any ill effects or side effects.

Some experts[specify] believe that the appendix was for digesting leaves as primates, over time we have eaten less vegetables and over the thousands of years we have evolved for this organ to be smaller to make room for our stomach.

Answer 6

Some previous answers had it right.  I would sum up by saying as our ancestors stopped eating leaves with toxins in them, we did not need the appendix and it slowly genetically atrophied.  It no longer serves a purpose.  The fact that it sometimes kills indicates that removing it might benefit those with smaller to non existent ones

Answer 7

it serves no purpose 4 2day's humans

Answer 8

Evolution.  

The appendix is no longer needed and the human biology is breeding it away.  Some scientists believe it was used by remote ancestors to help digest plants.  By comparison, primates, like baboons, have a much more developed appendix.

Answer 9

The appendix is shrinking because we are evolving.  We don't use the appendix any more and it serves no purpose, therefore why keep it?

Answer 10

the appendix is a part of small intestine...its function is mainly immunology at young age..its a blind extension ,,