The vermiform appendix, more commonly known as the appendix, is a blind-ended tube connected to the caecum in the large intestine and is located in the right lower quadrant and is approximately 9cm long is considered a part of the digestive system (Derrickson, 2009). The appendix consists of a four layered tissue; from deep to sacrificial they are the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa (Derrickson, 2009). The appendix is considered a vestigial organ, an organ that once had an important role in past ancestors but no longer in present humans, and is thought to have had an important role in the digestion of plant matter (Ansaloni, Catena & Pinna, 2009). It is debated to currently have some role in immune functioning due to its association with the substantial lymphatic tissue, and for this reason is considered a part of the lymphatic system (Ansaloni, Catena & Pinna, 2009).

As mentioned previously the appendix, in humans, is a vestigial organ and is no longer considered vital to human life and is commonly removed through surgery from acute appendicitis (Zissin et al., 2003). Acute appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, common symptoms include pain in the lower abdominal quadrant, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated the appendix can rupture or cause an abscess in the peritoneal cavity, which can in some circumstances lead to death (Hernandez, Jain, Rosiere, & Henderson, 2008). The process of relieving acute appendicitis is usually through surgery, known as an appendectomy and is usually a laparoscopic procedure, this involves three small incisions with a camera to visualize the appendix and surrounding area, however in some circumstance medication is used. A laparoscopic removal of the appendix tends to have few side effects with the most significant concern being infection to the wound; however with safe practices this rarely occurs (Chiu, Nguyen & Bloom, 2011).

With all of this considered humans can live without their appendix, there are generally no repercussions to the removal of the appendix. The laparoscopic surgery, generally used to remove the appendix is considered a safe practice with few after procedural concerns.

Bibliography
Ansaloni, L., Catena, F., & Pinna, A D. (2009). What Is the Function of the Human Vermiform Appendix?. European Surgical Research, 43(2), 67-71. doi: 10.1159/000219236
Chiu, C G., Nguyen , N H., & Bloom, S W. (2011) Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy using conventional instruments: an initial experience using a novel technique. Surgical Endoscopy, 25(4), 1153-1159, doi: 10.1007/s00464-010-1332-3
Derrickson, B. (2009). The Digestive System. In Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson (Eds.), B. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (pp. 921-976). United States of America, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hernandez, R., Jain, A., Rosiere, L., & Henderson, S O. (2008). A prospective clinical trial evaluating urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 26(3). doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2007.05.012

Zissin, R., Gayer, G., Bernheim, J., Kots, E., Shapiro-Feinberg, M., & Hertz, M. (2003).
Granulomatous appendicitis presenting as right lower quadrant pain: CT findings. Abdominal Imaging 28(2), 280-283. doi: 10.1007/s00261-002-0060-0