Editing Appendix (anatomy) (section)

===Immune and lymphatic systems===
The appendix has been identified as an important component of [[mammal]]ian [[mucosal immunology|mucosal immune function]], particularly [[B cell]]-mediated immune responses and [[thymus|extrathymically]] derived [[T cell]]s. This structure helps in the proper movement and removal of waste matter in the digestive system, contains lymphatic vessels that regulate pathogens, and lastly, might even produce early defences that prevent deadly diseases. Additionally, it is thought that this may provide more immune defences from invading pathogens and getting the lymphatic system's B and T cells to fight the viruses and bacteria that infect that portion of the bowel and training them so that immune responses are targeted and more able to reliably and less dangerously fight off pathogens.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zahid A | title = The vermiform appendix: not a useless organ | journal = Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan | volume = 14 | issue = 4 | pages = 256–8 | date = April 2004 | pmid = 15228837 }}</ref> In addition, there are different immune cells called [[innate lymphoid cell]]s that function in the gut to help the appendix maintain digestive health.<ref>{{cite journal|display-authors=6|vauthors=Rankin LC, Girard-Madoux MJ, Seillet C, Mielke LA, Kerdiles Y, Fenis A, Wieduwild E, Putoczki T, Mondot S, Lantz O, Demon D, Papenfuss AT, Smyth GK, Lamkanfi M, Carotta S, Renauld JC, Shi W, Carpentier S, Soos T, Arendt C, Ugolini S, Huntington ND, Belz GT, Vivier E|date=February 2016|title=Complementarity and redundancy of IL-22-producing innate lymphoid cells|journal=[[Nature Immunology]]|volume=17|issue=2|pages=179–86|doi=10.1038/ni.3332|pmc=4720992|pmid=26595889}}</ref> 

Research also shows a positive correlation between the existence of the appendix and the concentration of cecal lymphoid tissue, which supports the suggestion that not only does the appendix evolve as a complex with the cecum but also has major immune benefits.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Smith H, Parker W, Kotze S, Laurin M| title = Morphological evolution of the mammalian cecum and cecal appendix | journal =  Comptes Rendus Palevol| volume = 16 | issue = 1 | pages = 39–57 | date = September 2016 |doi=10.1016/j.crpv.2016.06.001| url = https://zenodo.org/record/894682 | doi-access = free }}</ref>