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Appendectomy Center - Eagan, MN

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Eagan, Minnesota

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Appendectomy

What is the appendix?

The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow tube that attaches to the cecum (the first part of the colon) like a worm. (The anatomical name for the appendix, vermiform appendix, means worm-like appendage.) The inner lining of the appendix produces a small amount of mucus that flows through the appendix and into the cecum. The wall of the appendix contains lymphatic tissue that is part of the immune system for making antibodies. Like the rest of the colon, the wall of the appendix also contains a layer of muscle.

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. The mucus or stool hardens, becomes rock-like, and blocks the opening. This rock is called a fecalith (literally, a rock of stool). At other times, the lymphatic tissue in the appendix may swell and block the appendix. Bacteria which normally are found within the appendix then begin to invade (infect) the wall of the appendix. The body responds to the invasion by mounting an attack on the bacteria, an attack called inflammation. (An alternative theory for the cause of appendicitis is an initial rupture of the appendix followed by spread of bacteria outside the appendix.. The cause of such a rupture is unclear, but it may relate to changes that occur in the lymphatic tissue that line the wall of the appendix.)

If the inflammation and infection spread through the wall of the appendix, the appendix can rupture. After rupture, infection can spread throughout the abdomen; however, it usually is confined to a small area surrounding the appendix (forming a peri-appendiceal abscess).

Sometimes, the body is successful in containing ("healing") the appendicitis with...

Recommended Reading Related to Appendectomy

The Digestive System »

Digestion Introduction

"Just a spoonful of sugar... " goes the song. But what happens to that sugar once you swallow it? In fact, how is it that you are able to swallow it at all? Your digestive system performs amazing feats every day, whether you eat a double cheeseburger or a stalk of celery. Read on to learn what exactly happens to food as it makes its way through your digestive system.

What Is Digestion?

Digestion is the complex process of turning the food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestion process also involves creating waste to be eliminated.

The digestive tract (or gut) is a long twisting tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. It is made up of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food and other cells that produce enzymes and hormones to aid in the breakdown of food. Along the way are three other organs that are needed for digestion: the liver, gallbladder, and the ...

Emergency Contact for Eagan

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Eagan Hospitals *

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
1 Veterans Dr
Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612)725-2000

Fairview Ridges Hospital
201 E Nicollet Blvd
Burnsville, MN 55337
(952)892-2000

Children's Hospitals and Clinics St Paul
345 N Smith Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)220-6000

St Joseph's Hospital
69 W Exchange St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)232-3000

United Hospital
333 N Smith Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)241-8000

Fairview Southdale Hospital
6401 France Ave S
Edina, MN 55435
(952)924-5000

Shriners Hospital for Children Twin Cities
2025 E River Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612)596-6100

Regions Hospital
640 Jackson St
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651)254-3456

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
200 E University Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651)291-2848

Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospital Saint Paul
559 Capitol Blvd
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651)232-2000

Abbott Northwestern Hospital
800 E 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612)863-4000

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
800 E 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612)863-4495

Children's Hospitals and Clinics Minneapolis
2525 Chicago Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612)813-6000

University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview Riverside Campus
2414 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612)672-6000

Phillips Eye Institute
2215 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612)775-8800

University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview University Campus
500 Harvard St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612)626-3000

Woodwinds Health Campus
1925 Woodwinds Dr
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651)232-0100

Hennepin County Medical Center
701 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612)873-3000

Methodist Hospital
6500 Excelsior Blvd
Saint Louis Park, MN 55426
(952)993-5000

Regency Hospital of Minneapolis
1300 Hidden Lake Pkwy
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(763)588-2750

Regina Medical Center
1175 Nininger Rd
Hastings, MN 55033
(651)480-4100

North Memorial Medical Center
3300 Oakdale Ave N
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
(763)520-5200

St John's Hospital
1575 Beam Ave
Maplewood, MN 55109
(651)232-7000

St Francis Regional Medical Center
1455 St Francis Ave
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952)403-3000

Unity Hospital
550 Osborne Rd
Fridley, MN 55432
(763)236-5000

Lakeview Hospital
927 Churchill St W
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651)439-5330

Hudson Hospital
405 Stageline Rd
Hudson, WI 54016
(715)531-6000

Cannon Falls Medical Center
1116 W Mill St
Cannon Falls, MN 55009
(507)263-4221

Northfield Hospital
2000 North Ave
Northfield, MN 55057
(507)646-1000

Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center
14500 99th Ave N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763)898-1000

Mercy Hospital
4050 Coon Rapids Blvd
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763)236-6000

Queen of Peace Hospital
301 Second St NE
New Prague, MN 56071
(952)758-4431

River Falls Area Hospital
1629 E Division St
River Falls, WI 54022
(715)425-6155

Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center
3301 7th Ave N
Anoka, MN 55303
(651)431-5000

Ridgeview Medical Center
500 S Maple St
Waconia, MN 55387
(952)442-2191

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