The word "appendix" refers to a supplementary material that is added at the end of a document or book. It typically contains additional information, such as charts, tables, or detailed explanations, that supports the main content but is not essential to its understanding. In a medical context, an appendix can also refer to a small organ in the human body that is part of the digestive system.
The term "appendix" comes from the Latin word "appendere," which means "to hang upon" or "to append." The term evolved into Middle French before being adopted into English in the late 15th century.