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Appendectomy Center - Olathe, KS

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Olathe, Kansas

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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 Olathe

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Olathe Hospitals *

Olathe Medical Center
20333 W 151st St
Olathe, KS 66061
(913)791-4200

Overland Park Regional Medical Center
10500 Quivira Rd
Overland Park, KS 66215
(913)541-5000

Select Specialty Hospital Kansas City
10500 Quivira Rd
Overland Park, KS 66215
(913)541-5886

Saint Luke's South Hospital
12300 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS 66213
(913)317-7000

Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital
427 W Main St
Gardner, KS 66030
(913)856-8747

Menorah Medical Center
5721 W 119th St
Overland Park, KS 66209
(913)498-6000

Specialty Hospital of Mid America
6509 W 103rd St
Overland Park, KS 66212
(913)649-3701

Children's Mercy South
5808 W 110th St
Overland Park, KS 66211
(913)696-8000

Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital
5701 W 110th St
Overland Park, KS 66211
(913)491-2400

Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital
10720 Nall Ave
Leawood, KS 66211
(913)754-5000

Doctor's Hospital
4901 College Blvd
Leawood, KS 66211
(913)529-1801

Shawnee Mission Medical Center
9100 W 74th St
Shawnee Mission, KS 66204
(913)676-2000

Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute
3651 College Blvd
Leawood, KS 66211
(913)338-4100

St Joseph Medical Center
1000 Carondelet Dr
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816)942-4400

Kindred Hospital Kansas City
8701 Troost Ave
Kansas City, MO 64131
(816)995-2000

Research Belton Hospital
17065 S Highway 71
Belton, MO 64012
(816)348-1200

Research Medical Center
2316 E Meyer Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64132
(816)276-4000

Select Specialty Hospital Western Missouri
2316 E Meyer Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64132
(816)276-3300

University of Kansas Hospital & Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66160
(913)588-5000

Rainbow Mental Health Facility
2205 W 36th Ave
Kansas City, KS 66103
(913)789-5800

Research Psychiatric Center
2323 E 63rd St
Kansas City, MO 64130
(816)444-8161

Saint Luke's Hospital
4401 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816)932-2000

Providence Medical Center
8929 Parallel Pkwy
Kansas City, KS 66112
(913)596-4000

Crittenton Children's Center
10918 Elm Ave
Kansas City, MO 64134
(816)765-6600

Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
2401 Gillham Rd
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816)234-3000

Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill
2301 Holmes St
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816)404-1000

Western Missouri Mental Health Center
1000 E 24th St
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816)512-7000

Kansas City VA Medical Center
4801 E Linwood Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64128
(816)861-4700

Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital
5121 Raytown Rd
Kansas City, MO 64133
(816)382-6300

Miami County Medical Center
2100 Baptiste Dr
Paola, KS 66071
(913)294-2327

North Kansas City Hospital
2800 Clay Edwards Dr
North Kansas City, MO 64116
(816)691-2000

Lawrence Memorial Hospital
325 Maine St
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785)749-6100

Saint Luke's East
100 NE Saint Luke's Blvd
Lees Summit, MO 64086
(816)347-5000

Truman Medical Center Lakewood
7900 Lees Summit Rd
Kansas City, MO 64139
(816)404-7000

Lee's Summit Medical Center
2100 SE Blue Pkwy
Lees Summit, MO 64063
(816)282-5000

Osawatomie State Hospital
500 State Hospital Dr
Osawatomie, KS 66064
(913)755-7000

Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Barry Road Campus
5830 NW Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64154
(816)891-6000

Centerpoint Medical Center
19600 E 39th St
Independence, MO 64057
(816)698-7000

Children's Mercy Northland
501 NW Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816)413-2500

Cushing Memorial Hospital
711 Marshall St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913)684-1100

Saint John Hospital
3500 S Fourth St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913)680-6000

VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System Leavenworth
4101 S Fourth St
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913)682-2000

Cass Regional Medical Center
1800 E Mechanic St
Harrisonville, MO 64701
(816)380-3474

Ransom Memorial Hospital
1301 S Main St
Ottawa, KS 66067
(785)229-8200

St Mary's Medical Center
201 NW R D Mize Rd
Blue Springs, MO 64014
(816)228-5900

Liberty Hospital
2525 Glenn Hendren Dr
Liberty, MO 64068
(816)781-7200

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