what is an apendix

The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that sticks out from the colon on the lower right side of the belly, also called the abdomen. It is a thin, roughly four-inch-long tube thats part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although the exact purpose of the appendix is unclear, it is believed to play a role in the immune system. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis, which causes pain in the lower right abdomen. If the appendix is not removed when it becomes swollen or infected, it can leak bacteria and infect the entire belly, which can be life-threatening. Appendectomy, the removal of the appendix, is one of the most common emergency abdominal surgeries. In some cases, antibiotics may be used to treat appendicitis, but surgery is always a backup if the treatment does not work or there is a recurrence.