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Appendectomy Center - Frederick, MD

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Frederick, Maryland

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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 Frederick

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Frederick Hospitals *

Frederick Memorial Hospital
400 W Seventh St
Frederick, MD 21701
(240)566-3300

North Spring Behavioral Healthcare
42009 Victory Ln
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703)777-0800

Brook Lane Health Services
13218 Brook Lane Dr
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301)733-0330

Washington County Hospital
251 E Antietam St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301)790-8000

Graydon Manor Behavioral Health
801 Children's Center Rd SW
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703)777-3485

Inova Loudoun Hospital Center
44045 Riverside Pkwy
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703)858-6000

Springfield Hospital Center
6655 Sykesville Rd
Sykesville, MD 21784
(410)970-7000

Carroll Hospital Center
200 Memorial Ave
Westminster, MD 21157
(410)848-3000

Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland
9909 Medical Center Dr
Rockville, MD 20850
(240)864-6000

Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare
14901 Broschart Rd
Rockville, MD 20850
(301)251-4500

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital
9901 Medical Center Dr
Rockville, MD 20850
(301)279-6000

Waynesboro Hospital
501 E Main St
Waynesboro, PA 17268
(717)765-4000

Jefferson Memorial Hospital
300 S Preston St
Ranson, WV 25438
(304)728-1600

Montgomery General Hospital
18101 Prince Philip Dr
Olney, MD 20832
(301)774-8882

Martinsburg VA Medical Center
510 Butler Ave
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304)263-0811

City Hospital
2500 Hospital Dr
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304)264-1000

Gettysburg Hospital
147 Gettys St
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717)334-2121

Howard County General Hospital
5755 Cedar Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410)740-7890

Reston Hospital Center
1850 Town Center Pkwy
Reston, VA 20190
(703)689-9000

Suburban Hospital
8600 Old Georgetown Rd
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301)896-3100

National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301)496-4000

Northwest Hospital
5401 Old Court Rd
Randallstown, MD 21133
(410)521-2200

Holy Cross Hospital
1500 Forest Glen Rd
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301)754-7000

Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City
4100 College Ave
Ellicott City, MD 21041
(443)364-5500

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