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Appendectomy Center - Hillsboro, OR

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Hillsboro, Oregon

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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 Hillsboro

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Hillsboro Hospitals *

Tuality Community Hospital
335 SE 8th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503)681-1111

Tuality Forest Grove Hospital
1809 Maple St
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503)357-2173

Providence St Vincent Medical Center
9205 SW Barnes Rd
Portland, OR 97225
(503)216-1234

Providence Newberg Hospital
1001 Providence Dr
Newberg, OR 97132
(503)537-1555

Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
1015 NW 22nd Ave
Portland, OR 97210
(503)413-7711

Doernbecher Childrens Hospital at OHSU
700 SW Campus Dr
Portland, OR 97239
(503)494-8811

Oregon Health & Science University Hospital
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Portland, OR 97239
(503)494-8311

Portland VA Medical Center
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd
Portland, OR 97239
(503)220-8262

Shriners Hospital for Children
3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Portland, OR 97239
(503)241-5090

Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center
19300 SW 65th Ave
Tualatin, OR 97062
(503)692-1212

Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital
2801 N Gantenbein Ave
Portland, OR 97227
(503)413-2200

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
2801 N Gantenbein Ave
Portland, OR 97227
(503)413-2200

Oregon State Hospital Portland
1121 NE 2nd Ave
Portland, OR 97232
(503)731-8620

Southwest Washington Medical Center Memorial Campus
3400 Main St
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360)256-2000

Providence Milwaukie Hospital
10150 SE 32nd Ave
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503)513-8300

Providence Portland Medical Center
4805 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR 97213
(503)215-1111

Adventist Medical Center
10123 SE Market St
Portland, OR 97216
(503)257-2500

Southwest Washington Medical Center Mother Joseph Campus
400 NE Mother Joseph Pl
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360)256-2000

Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center
2211 NE 139th St
Vancouver, WA 98686
(360)487-1000

Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center
10180 SE Sunnyside Rd
Clackamas, OR 97015
(503)652-2880

Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center
1500 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503)656-1631

Willamette Valley Medical Center
2700 Stratus Ave
Mcminnville, OR 97128
(503)472-6131

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center
24800 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR 97030
(503)674-1122

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