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Appendectomy Center - New Braunfels, TX

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New Braunfels, Texas

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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 New Braunfels

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby New Braunfels Hospitals *

Christus Santa Rosa New Braunfels
600 N Union Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830)606-9111

Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
1215 E Court St
Seguin, TX 78155
(830)379-2411

Central Texas Medical Center
1301 Wonder World Dr
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512)353-8979

Northeast Methodist Hospital
12412 Judson Rd
Live Oak, TX 78233
(210)757-7000

Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
17720 Corporate Woods Dr
San Antonio, TX 78259
(210)491-9400

COMPASS Hospital at San Antonio
14743 Jones Maltsberger Rd
San Antonio, TX 78247
(210)402-0029

Mission Vista Behavioral Health Center
14747 Jones Maltsberger Rd
San Antonio, TX 78247
(210)497-0004

Spine Hospital of South Texas
18600 Hardy Oak Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210)404-0800

Northeast Baptist Hospital
8811 Village Dr
San Antonio, TX 78217
(210)297-2000

North Central Baptist Hospital
520 Madison Oak Dr
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210)297-4000

Seton Edgar B Davis Memorial Hospital
130 Hays St
Luling, TX 78648
(830)875-7000

Nix Specialty Health Center
4330 Vance Jackson Rd
San Antonio, TX 78230
(210)341-2633

Warm Springs Specialty Hospital Luling
200 Memorial Dr
Luling, TX 78648
(830)875-8400

Southeast Baptist Hospital
4214 E Southcross Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78222
(210)297-3000

Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
1310 McCullough Ave
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210)757-2200

Kindred Hospital San Antonio
3636 Medical Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)616-0616

Baptist Medical Center
111 Dallas St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210)297-7000

Select Specialty Hospital San Antonio
111 Dallas St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210)297-7170

TexSAn Heart Hospital
6700 IH-10 W
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210)736-6700

Nix Medical Center
414 Navarro St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210)271-1800

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa City Centre & Children's Hospital
333 N Santa Rosa St
San Antonio, TX 78207
(210)704-2011

Southwest Mental Health Center
8535 Tom Slick Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)616-0300

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Institute of San Antonio
9119 Cinnamon Hill
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210)691-0737

Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas
7700 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)575-7000

Methodist Hospital
7700 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)575-4000

St Luke's Baptist Hospital
7930 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)297-5000

Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital
8026 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)575-8110

University Health System San Antonio
4502 Medical Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)358-4000

Texas Specialty Hospital
7310 Oak Manor Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)308-0261

Warm Springs San Antonio Rehabilitation Hospital
5101 Medical Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)616-0100

LifeCare Hospitals of San Antonio
8902 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210)690-7000

San Antonio State Hospital
6711 S New Braunfels Ave
San Antonio, TX 78223
(210)532-8811

South Texas VA Healthcare System
7400 Merton Minter Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)617-5300

Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital Northwest
9150 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210)575-5000

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Medical Center
2827 Babcock Rd
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)705-6300

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Rehabilitation Hospital
2827 Babcock Rd
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210)705-6100

Texas Center for Infectious Disease
2303 SE Military Dr
San Antonio, TX 78223
(210)534-8857

Seton Southwest Healthcare Center
7900 FM 1826
Austin, TX 78737
(512)324-9000

Promise Hospital of San Antonio
7400 Barlite Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78224
(210)921-3550

Southwest General Hospital
7400 Barlite Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78224
(210)921-2000

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