Norman Swan

So let me explain the story before we get into Andrew's thing, because this is my favorite little organ in the appendix.

There's been a rise in appendiceal cancer in young people.

And one of the theories behind this is that we're increasingly treating appendicitis with antibiotics.

And are we missing some appendiceal cancers by leaving the appendix in there?

Now we'll hear from Andrew.

I didn't.

I see that, Andrew.

You're going a bit far now.

So, Andrew, you need to listen to this week's What's That Rash, our sister podcast, where we deal with exactly this issue.

And the appendix, you're absolutely right, is thought of as a safe house.

Yes.

Where there are bugs in there.

No, the safe house is different.

The safe house is for the microbiome.

So, it stores.

Ah.

Bacteria and other organisms.

So if something happens to the microbiome of the gut, the appendix can deliver the microbiome back into the gut.

But yes, you're right.

It's also an immune organ that actually trains the immune system and helps to control the immune system associated with these interesting little patches of immunity in the immune tissue at the end of your small bowel called the pyrus patches.