MedicineNet

Appendectomy Center - Lancaster, PA

WebMD Physician Directory

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-02
Lutherville Running Festival
Lutherville, Maryland
2012-06-03
Run 4 Fun
Elkton, Maryland
2012-06-03
Mason Dixon Sprint
Lewisberry, Pennsylvania
2012-06-16
SuperHero 5K & Kids Fun Run
Landisville, Pennsylvania
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Reading
Throughout Reading, Pennsylvania
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Leesport
Throughout Leesport, Pennsylvania
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Emmaus
Throughout Emmaus, Pennsylvania
2012-06-23
HOOT N HOWL 5K SMART RUN
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania
2012-10-27

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 Lancaster

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Lancaster Hospitals *

Lancaster General Hospital
555 N Duke St
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717)544-5511

Lancaster Regional Medical Center
250 College Ave
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717)291-8211

Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital
690 Good Dr
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717)544-3700

Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital
675 Good Dr
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717)394-7500

Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center
1500 Highlands Dr
Lititz, PA 17543
(717)625-5000

Ephrata Community Hospital
169 Martin Ave
Ephrata, PA 17522
(717)733-0311

Lebanon VA Medical Center
1700 S Lincoln Ave
Lebanon, PA 17042
(717)272-6621

The Good Samaritan Hospital
4th & Walnut Sts
Lebanon, PA 17042
(717)270-7500

Memorial Hospital
325 S Belmont St
York, PA 17403
(717)843-8623

Philhaven
283 S Butler Rd
Mount Gretna, PA 17064
(717)273-8871

Wernersville State Hospital
Rte 422 & Sportsman Rd
Wernersville, PA 19565
(610)678-3411

York Hospital
1001 S George St
York, PA 17403
(717)851-2345

Penn State Children's Hospital
500 University Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
(717)531-8521

Penn State Hershey Medical Center
500 University Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
(717)531-8521

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of York
1850 Normandie Dr
York, PA 17408
(717)767-6941

HEALTHSOUTH Reading Rehabilitation Hospital
1623 Morgantown Rd
Reading, PA 19607
(610)796-6000

Jennersville Regional Hospital
1015 W Baltimore Pike
West Grove, PA 19390
(610)869-1000

Coatesville VA Medical Center
1400 Black Horse Hill Rd
Coatesville, PA 19320
(610)384-7711

Brandywine Hospital
201 Reeceville Rd
Coatesville, PA 19320
(610)383-8000

The Reading Hospital & Medical Center
6th Ave & Spruce St
Reading, PA 19612
(610)988-8000

St Joseph Medical Center
2500 Bernville Rd
Reading, PA 19605
(610)378-2000

Community General Osteopathic Hospital Pinnacle Health
4300 Londonderry Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717)652-3000

Helen M Simpson Rehabilitation Hospital
4300 Londonderry Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717)920-4300

Saint John Vianney Hospital
151 Woodbine Rd
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610)269-2600

Harrisburg Hospital
111 S Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717)782-3131

Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
500 Upper Chesapeake Dr
Bel Air, MD 21014
(443)643-1000

*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.