MedicineNet

Appendectomy Center - Hickory, NC

WebMD Physician Directory

Hickory, North Carolina

Upcoming Local Events

2012-05-26
Strong Body, Strong Mind 5k
Hickory, North Carolina
2012-05-28
2012-06-16
Carolinas CARE Partnership 5k Run/Walk
Charlotte, North Carolina
2012-07-06
The Steel Wheels Ride for Kids
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
2012-07-21
Jerdon Mountain Challenge
Old Fort, North Carolina
2012-08-04
Amica Race Series Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
2012-08-11
Cannonballs' Ride For Pride 2012
Charlotte, North Carolina
2012-08-12
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Hickory
Throughout Hickory, North Carolina
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Gastonia
Throughout Gastonia, North Carolina

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 Hickory

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Hickory Hospitals *

Frye Regional Medical Center
420 N Center St
Hickory, NC 28601
(828)322-6070

Catawba Valley Medical Center
810 Fairgrove Church Rd SE
Hickory, NC 28602
(828)326-3000

Valdese General Hospital
720 Malcolm Blvd
Rutherford College, NC 28671
(828)874-2251

Frye Regional Medical Center Alexander Campus
326 Third St SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681
(828)635-4000

Caldwell Memorial Hospital
321 Mulberry St SW
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828)757-5100

Grace Hospital
2201 S Sterling St
Morganton, NC 28655
(828)580-5000

Broughton Hospital
1000 S Sterling St
Morganton, NC 28655
(828)433-2111

Carolinas Medical Center Lincoln
200 Gamble Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704)735-3071

Iredell Memorial Hospital
557 Brookdale Dr
Statesville, NC 28687
(704)873-5661

Davis Regional Medical Center
218 Old Mocksville Rd
Statesville, NC 28625
(704)873-0281

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center
171 Fairview Rd
Mooresville, NC 28117
(704)660-4000

Wilkes Regional Medical Center
1370 West D St
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336)651-8100

Cleveland Regional Medical Center
201 E Grover St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704)487-3000

Kings Mountain Hospital
706 W Kings St
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704)739-3601

Gaston Memorial Hospital
2525 Court Dr
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704)834-2000

Blowing Rock Hospital
418 Chestnut Dr
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828)295-3136

Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville
10030 Gilead Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704)316-4000

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.