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Tonsils, appendix, gallbladder: is anything actually useless?

4/28/202620 min

You might know them as "vestigial" organs, but we no longer overlook organs that aren’t vital for life.

While they can be removed, your tonsils, appendix and gallbladder play important roles in the body.

Norman and Tegan define what "vestigial" actually means, and how our bodies adapt to losing an organ.

References:

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Clips

Doctor Removes Own Appendix
Life After Gallbladder Removal
Appendix: Microbiome Safe House
Tonsils’ Real Job Explained
Antibiotics And Appendix Cancer Risk?
We Have A Third Eyelid Remnant

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Tegan Taylor· Host0:00

    [upbeat music] ABC Listen, podcasts, radio, news, music, and more I'm Peter Martin, host of The Economy Stupid, where we find economics in relationships She only wants a man if he's really, really good In the Reserve Bank board I knew, I knew, everybody on the board knew recession was coming And in food It's about the cup of diesel required for the life cycle to get that chicken patty on your burger The Economy Stupid.

  2. Norman Swan· Host0:31

    Search for The Economy Stupid on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts. So Tega, do you, do you have an appendage you'd rather not have?

  3. Tegan Taylor· Host0:40

    [laughs] Um, no, I, I think my body is fine just as it is. What are you trying to tell me, Norman?

  4. Norman Swan· Host0:47

    [laughs] Nothing. Just, just wondering, really. I've al- I've been pondering on that. [laughs] Do I- [laughs] You've been pondering on my appendages No, no, no. Well, really, it's an excuse for Everything's About Me. There's an appendage I'd rather not have.

  5. Tegan Taylor· Host1:00

    Is there?

  6. Norman Swan· Host1:00

    I'd quite like to have teeth that don't need fillings, you know?

  7. Tegan Taylor· Host1:03

    Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm So there's lots of organs that I think I'd rather have in good shape rather than bad shape.

  8. Norman Swan· Host1:08

    But, um, no, I'm quite happy with all my appendages.

  9. Tegan Taylor· Host1:10

    Fair enough. Actually, shall we do a little appendage checklist? I'm interested to know how many of these items you still have- Okay ... within your body.

  10. Norman Swan· Host1:18

    [laughs] All right, cool Your appendix? I do Tonsils? I do Gallbladder? I do Wisdom teeth? I do What an intact 51-year-old you are, Norman Swan.

  11. Unknown speaker1:29

    [laughs]

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