What Side is Your Appendix on

Many a time, I have come across people complaining about abdominal pain and worrying about the possibility of appendicitis. We all know that appendicitis is a condition affecting the appendix that is situated in the abdomen. But, many are confused about the exact location of the appendix. If you are one among them, then, continue reading this article for a brief overview about what side is your appendix on.

Vermiform Appendix

Vermiform appendix is considered as a vestigial organ in the human body. The function of this finger-shaped organ found in the cecum is still not clear. According to some experts, the organ has lost its original function, i.e., digestion of leaves. As per these researchers, it is the remaining portion of the very large intestine that was a normal part of the digestive system of our ancestors, who lived millions of years ago. With time, humans started having easily digestible foods instead of raw foliage and this resulted in the shrinking of the cecum (the junction between the small and large intestine). So, now the cecum is a small section with the vermiform appendix. This is one of the theories about the vermiform appendix.

Even though appendix is tagged as an organ with no function, there are many suggestions to the contrary. It is said that vermiform appendix plays an important role in the homeostatic mechanisms in developing fetuses. In case of adults, appendix function is said to boost the immune system. According to another theory, appendix do produce beneficial bacteria that is vital for the digestive system. So, now that you have a basic understanding about the possible functions of appendix, let us know more about what side is your appendix on.

What Side of Your Body is Your Appendix on?

As mentioned above, vermiform appendix is a finger-shaped, closed end tube-like organ that develops from the cecum, during the embryonic stage itself. In fact, cecum is like a pouch, into which the small intestine empties its contents and from where, the large intestine takes those digested food particles. An average vermiform appendix in an adult is found to have a length of around ten centimeters and a diameter of about eight millimeters. Now you know that appendix is a tube-like organ that projects out of the cecum. Then, where is your cecum located? What side is your appendix on?

Cecum is found on the lower right part of the abdomen. The exact location of the appendix is near the junction between the small intestine and the cecum. What side of your stomach is your appendix on? This is one of the common queries about this organ. In layman's terms, appendix is found to be located at a point that is equidistant from the belly button and the pubic bone. In some people, appendix can be found to be located near the belly button, while in others, it may be near the pubic bone. In short, the exact appendix location in the body may vary from one person to another. So, it is commonly said to be located on the lower right part of the abdomen. In some rare cases, appendix can be found on the lower left abdomen too.

One of the common conditions that affect this organ is appendicitis, which is the inflammation of the appendix. This causes sudden and severe pain in and around the location. It may also happen that appendix pain location cannot be pinpointed in some people, as they experience a generalized pain in the abdomen. This condition requires immediate treatment to avoid its rupture, that can be a life-threatening condition that may require appendectomy to be done immediately.

This was a brief overview about what side is your appendix on. If you want to know more about this organ, then, you can conduct further study on it. Now that you know more about where is your appendix located, make sure to seek medical attention, in case of sudden sharp pain in lower right abdomen. Even vomiting and diarrhea may accompany this pain. However, this does not mean that such symptoms indicate appendicitis only. It can be due to other conditions too and appendicitis is one of the possibilities.