Heather Smith is an evolutionary anatomist at Midwestern University who studies the fossil record of extinct species.
Megan Robbins/Heather Smith
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Megan Robbins/Heather Smith
Heather Smith is an evolutionary anatomist at Midwestern University who studies the fossil record of extinct species.
Megan Robbins/Heather Smith
At that time, many of us heard that the appendix was a vestigial organ, at best a part of the body that lost its purpose many years ago. In the worst case scenario, it could unnecessarily attach itself to the human body and threaten life if it ruptured. But what if that theory is wrong?
heather smith She has been obsessed with appendixes ever since she had her appendix removed at age 12. After years of studying anatomy, she discovered that the appendix is actually useless.
Do you think it’s time to give that duty to another part of the human body? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — I’d love to hear about it!
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This episode was produced by Margaret Cirino and edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Fact checked by Britt Hanson. Gilly Moon was an audio engineer.