Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, 5-10cm long tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine. No one is absolutely certain what the function of the appendix is. One thing we do know is we can live without it.
Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity's lining (the peritoneum) that can be fatal unless it is treated quickly with strong antibiotics.
