The Appendix

What is the Appendix?

The Appendix is a worm-shaped appendage that sticks out from the top portion of the large intestine.

The appendix can become inflamed. If an inflamed appendix is not treated immediately, the appendix can burst.

What is the Main Function of Appendix?

The main function of the appendix is unknown.

Diseases and Conditions of the Appendix

Appendicitis and Carcinoid Syndrome are the most common conditions that affect the appendix. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix.

Carcinoid syndrome is a condition where caracinoid tumors grow in the appendix. The tumors may spread to other parts of the body.

credits: The Human Appendix

Oh sorry, this isn’t an article to educate the reader about this digestive tract appendage. Rather it is this image of a fully bloated appendix that Windy sent me.

Notice the length of the fully bloated appendix that was removed. It clearly measures 11 centimeters!!! (perhaps even longer because its slightly bent in the image). Unfortunately, the girth of the bloated appendix wasn’t photographed to scale.

Here is the story

On Aug 18th, Windy was informed that his 90 year old father-in-law was rushed to the hospital for what appeared to be either a cancerous growth or a bloated appendix.

As usual, the ever caring and mindful Windy, immediately booked a bus ticket to travel 700 kilometers at night to visit his father-in-law, traveling from 10 pm till 7 the following morning.

By the time he reached his bedside at 9 am, the appendectomy was successfully done.

The Surgeon

Windy was fortunate to meet with the Surgeon who performed the appendectomy. Specialist Surgeon, Doctor Murli of the Seven Day Adventist Hospital in Penang, Malaysia, gave Windy a photograph of the appendix and declared that this was the largest ever appendix that he has ever removed from a human body in his surgical career. And it wasn’t easy to remove it due to the enormous size.

The father-in-law

He is a direct immigrant from Shanghai, China and has 7 daughters and 3 sons. Hale and healthy for his present age, he has now recovered speedily much to the surprise of Doctor Murli.

And Windy?

Windy told me that his father-in-law chided him for having made such a long journey to visit him for something that was not life threatening.

Windy replied to his father-in-law, “You’re my father, why? I must see you no matter if it is a small matter or a big matter about your health condition”.

Hearing that, the old man returned a sweet smile and fell off sheepishly to sleep.