The vermiform appendix was a dead-end tube on the large intestine of Humans. Largely useless, most people didn't think of its existence – in 2267, after Spock, apparently blinded by the heavy dose of light used to kill the single-celled creature which had infected him and most of the population on Deneva, regained his sight, he explained that the inner eyelid which had instinctively protected him was ignored by most Vulcans, just as most Humans ignored their appendix. Many people have them removed in operations called appendectomies, usually in treatment of appendicitis. Elias Sandoval had such an operation, though his appendix grew back when he was exposed to the Omicron spores in 2264. (TOS: "This Side of Paradise")

The Doctor performed three appendectomies in the USS Voyager's first year in the Delta Quadrant. (VOY: "Lifesigns")

External links Edit

• Appendectomy at Wikipedia
• Appendix at Wikipedia