For decades, the appendix has been dismissed as a useless organ — a leftover from human evolution with no real function.

This small organ can cause big problems when inflammation sets in, potentially leading to life-threatening complications if left untreated. That nagging pain in your abdomen might be more than just a ...

Appendicitis is not an inherited condition, but genetics may play a role. However, the cause of appendicitis is often unclear. Appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix. An infection may ...

There are four stages of appendicitis, which describe its severity and whether it has caused any complications: simple, supportive, gangrenous, and perforated. These range from mild inflammation ...