This entry is part 3 of 8 in the series GREAT MYTHS OF EVOLUTION

Great Myths Of Evolution 3 GREAT MYTHS OF EVOLUTION #3 by David Menton

THE APPENDIX OF MAN IS A VESTIGIAL AND USELESS ORGAN LEFT OVER FROM BACK WHEN PRIMATIVE MAN ATE MAINLY RAW VEGETATION

Vestigial organs are believed to be nonfunctional in their present condition but are considered to have had a function in an evolutionary ancestor.

It has been claimed by some evolutionists that the human appendix is a vestigial cecum from our evolutionary ancestors. The cecum is a blind ending pouch near the end of the large intestine (colon) which provides additional space for colonic function and may in some animals, such as cows, contain special bacteria which aid in the digestion of plant material.

In fact, almost every mammal has a cecum and many of these ALSO have an appendix! Man, for example, has both a cecum AND an appendix – neither is vestigial or useless. The appendix is a lymphoid organ (part of the bodies immune system) which makes antibodies against infections in the bowel.

Thinking it was a useless evolutionary “left over”, many surgeons used to remove the appendix whenever they were in the abdominal cavity. This is no longer done unless the appendix is terminally infected. As recently as 1971, the Encyclopedia Britanica claimed that there were more than 100 vestigial organs in man, including the appendix and coccyx!

In years past, some people lost their lives having “vestigial organs” such as the parathyroid removed by overzealous surgeons. Today there are few if any organs of the body that are thought to be without function. None the less, 7 out of 15 high school biology textbooks recently surveyed sighted vestigial organs, including the appendix, as evidence for evolution!

Series NavigationPrevious in Series: Great Myths Of Evolution 2Next in Series: Great Myths Of Evolution 4