 | Warning! |
This article contains information regarding Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, and thus may contain spoilers. |
The appendix was a part of the large intestine of many species of humanoids. As it was stereotypically considered useless, most people tended to disregard its existence unless it developed a medical issue.
Humans had a singular appendix, known as the vermiform appendix. Khionians had multiple appendices, which were located higher in the body than humans, with at least one located between the ribs. (SA: "Vitus Reflux")
Inflammation and infection of the appendix was known as appendicitis. This was typically treated by surgical removal, in a process known as an appendectomy.
In 2264, Elias Sandoval's appendix grew back when he was exposed to the Omicron spores, the organ having previously been removed. (TOS: "This Side of Paradise")
In 2267, after Spock regained his sight, having previously thought he would be permanently blind, compared his Vulcan inner eyelid which had instinctively protected him to the Human appendix, in that both were generally ignored. (TOS: "Operation -- Annihilate!")
In 2377, B'Elanna Torres asked The Doctor to perform prenatal gene re-sequencing of her and Tom Paris's daughter to remove evidence of her Klingon heritage. Using the example of the baby's redundant third lung, she suggested that eliminating it would be no different than removing an appendix before it developed into a serious health issue. (VOY: "Lineage")
During his childhood, Darem Reymi had one of his appendices removed, which left him with a scar. Darem preferred to invent stories of a knife fight rather than admit to having had an appendectomy. (SA: "Vitus Reflux")