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Appendectomy Center - Homestead, FL

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Homestead, Florida

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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 Homestead

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Homestead Hospitals *

Homestead Hospital
975 Baptist Way
Homestead, FL 33033
(786)243-8000

HEALTHSOUTH Miami Rehabilitation Hospital
20601 Old Cutler Rd
Miami, FL 33189
(305)251-3800

Jackson South Community Hospital
9333 SW 152nd St
Miami, FL 33157
(305)251-2500

Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute
8900 N Kendall Dr
Miami, FL 33176
(786)596-5990

Baptist Children's Hospital
8900 N Kendall Dr
Miami, FL 33176
(305)596-5437

Baptist Hospital of Miami
8900 N Kendall Dr
Miami, FL 33176
(786)596-1960

Kendall Regional Medical Center
11750 SW 40th St
Miami, FL 33175
(305)223-3000

South Miami Hospital
6200 SW 73rd St
South Miami, FL 33143
(786)662-4000

Larkin Community Hospital
7031 SW 62nd Ave
South Miami, FL 33143
(305)284-7500

West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital
2525 SW 75th Ave
Miami, FL 33155
(305)262-6800

Westchester General Hospital
2500 SW 75th Ave
Miami, FL 33155
(305)264-5252

Doctors' Hospital
5000 University Dr
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(786)308-3000

Miami Children's Hospital
3100 SW 62nd Ave
Miami, FL 33155
(305)666-6511

Coral Gables Hospital
3100 Douglas Rd
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305)445-8461

Kindred Hospital South Florida Coral Gables
5190 SW 8th St
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305)448-1585

Metropolitan Hospital
5959 NW 7th St
Miami, FL 33126
(305)264-1000

Mercy Hospital
3663 S Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33133
(305)854-4400

Sister Emmanuel Hospital for Continuing Care
3663 S Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33133
(305)285-2939

Select Specialty Hospital Miami
955 NW Third St
Miami, FL 33128
(305)416-5700

University of Miami Hospital
1400 NW 12th Ave
Miami, FL 33136
(305)325-5511

University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
1475 NW 12th Ave
Miami, FL 33136
(305)243-1000

Jackson Memorial Hospital
1611 NW 12th Ave
Miami, FL 33136
(305)585-1111

Miami VA Medical Center
1201 NW 16th St
Miami, FL 33125
(305)575-4455

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
900 NW 17th St
Miami, FL 33136
(305)326-6000

Southern Winds Hospital
4225 W 20th Ave
Hialeah, FL 33012
(305)558-9700

Hialeah Hospital
651 E 25th St
Hialeah, FL 33013
(305)693-6100

Palm Springs General Hospital
1475 W 49th St
Hialeah, FL 33012
(305)558-2500

Miami Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged
5200 NE 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33137
(305)751-8626

Palmetto General Hospital
2001 W 68th St
Hialeah, FL 33016
(305)823-5000

North Shore Medical Center
1100 NW 95th St
Miami, FL 33150
(305)835-6000

Mount Sinai Medical Center
4300 Alton Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33140
(305)674-2121

Mount Sinai Medical Center Miami Heart Campus
4701 N Meridian Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33140
(305)674-2121

Mariners Hospital
91500 Overseas Hwy
Tavernier, FL 33070
(305)852-4418

St Catherine's Rehabilitation Hospital
1050 NE 125th St
North Miami, FL 33161
(305)891-8850

Memorial Hospital Miramar
1901 SW 172nd Ave
Miramar, FL 33029
(954)538-5000

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