Submitted by UF2PCV t3_zgh3sl in askscience
Comments
[deleted] t1_iziblgt wrote
[removed]
[deleted] t1_izjcn18 wrote
[removed]
[deleted] t1_izkjcq4 wrote
[removed]
thisimpetus t1_izsj9x4 wrote
Pressure or tension, really; the appendix is a small sack of tissue, about the shape of a finger. It can become infected and fill with pus, or an obstruction can block part of the surface tissue; in either case, the wall of the appendix is strained and so easier to tear. Under that strain, normal activity can represent dangerous additional strain, pushing the strained area beyond its mechanical limit. And that's what a "burst" is, really, a small tear in the outer wall of the organ that lets it leak into the rest of the abdomen.
[deleted] t1_izhqevi wrote
[removed]