To survive, you need your heart, lungs, and liver. But what about your appendix, tonsils, wisdom teeth, and other parts that you normally hear about only when they're being removed. Are they just ...

It was the first day of spring break in 1992 in Phoenix, and 12-year-old Heather Smith was excited for her family's upcoming ski trip. But before Smith and her family had even packed their snow pants, ...

We have all seen movies, series, and have known of someone in our lives who got their appendix removed. But do we know what this organ's actual role is? It is a small finger-like pouch, but has a role ...

I don’t have mine. Chances are, you don’t have yours either – but we’re none the worse off without it. That would be the appendix, often referred to as a useless organ. We needed it in the past, ...

You may have heard that astronauts have their appendix removed before leaving Earth. After all, people say you can live without this organ because it serves no purpose, but how much truth is there in ...

For years, doctors thought your appendix had no function. But now it’s believed to help fetuses develop, and boost the immune system of adults. The organ is attached to the large intestine, and if ...

The appendix is often only noticed when it necessitates troublesome removal. Wouldn't we be better off never having had an appendix at all? Darwin himself speculated that the appendix never served an ...

Despite some 500 years of study, the appendix might be one of the least understood structures in the human body. Here's what we know about this mysterious organ. 1. THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS CALLED IT THE ...

Symptoms of appendicitis may require emergency medical attention. Without immediate care, the appendix can burst. A burst appendix releases bacteria and pus, which can cause severe complications. The ...

Medicare pays for appendix surgery when medically necessary. The surgery may vary depending on the situation. Medicare covers surgeries deemed medically necessary. Since appendicitis is considered a ...