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Appendectomy Center - Reading, PA

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Reading, Pennsylvania

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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 Reading

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Reading Hospitals *

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

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

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

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

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

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
1600 E High St
Pottstown, PA 19464
(610)327-7000

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

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

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

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

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

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

KidsPeace Children's Hospital
5300 Kids Peace Dr
Orefield, PA 18069
(610)799-8800

Phoenixville Hospital
140 Nutt Rd
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610)983-1000

Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest
Cedar Crest & I-78
Allentown, PA 18105
(610)402-8000

Schuylkill Medicall Center South Jackson Street
420 S Jackson St
Pottsville, PA 17901
(570)621-5000

Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian Street
700 E Norwegian St
Pottsville, PA 17901
(570)621-4000

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

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

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

St Luke's Hospital Allentown Campus
1736 Hamilton St
Allentown, PA 18104
(610)770-8300

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

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

Malvern Institute
940 King Rd
Malvern, PA 19355
(610)647-0330

Lehigh Valley Hospital 17th & Chew Streets
17th & Chew Sts
Allentown, PA 18105
(610)402-8000

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Allentown
850 S 5th St
Allentown, PA 18103
(610)776-3120

Eagleville Hospital
100 Eagleville Rd
Eagleville, PA 19408
(610)539-6000

Paoli Hospital
255 W Lancaster Ave
Paoli, PA 19301
(610)648-1000

The Chester County Hospital
701 E Marshall St
West Chester, PA 19380
(610)431-5000

Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
(610)251-5400

LifeCare Hospitals of Chester County
400 E Marshall St
West Chester, PA 19380
(484)826-0400

Sacred Heart Hospital
421 Chew St
Allentown, PA 18102
(610)776-4500

St Luke's Quakertown Hospital
1021 Park Ave
Quakertown, PA 18951
(215)538-4500

Devereux Beneto Children's Behavioral Health Center
655 Sugartown Rd
Malvern, PA 19355
(610)296-6820

Grand View Hospital
700 Lawn Ave
Sellersville, PA 18960
(215)453-4000

Valley Forge Medical Center & Hospital
1033 W Germantown Pike
Norristown, PA 19403
(610)539-8500

Allentown State Hospital
1600 Hanover Ave
Allentown, PA 18109
(610)740-3200

Montgomery County Emergency Service
50 Beech Dr
Norristown, PA 19403
(610)279-6100

St Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital
360 W Ruddle St
Coaldale, PA 18218
(570)645-2131

Norristown State Hospital
1001 Sterigere St
Norristown, PA 19401
(610)270-1000

St Luke's Hospital Bethlehem Campus
801 Ostrum St
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610)954-4000

Westfield Hospital
510 Delaware Ave
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610)866-6614

Montgomery Hospital
1301 Powell St
Norristown, PA 19401
(610)270-2000

Good Shepherd Home Bethlehem
2855 Schoenersville Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610)807-5600

Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg Center
2545 Schoenersville Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610)402-8000

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