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Appendectomy Center - Spring Hill, FL

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Spring Hill, 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 Spring Hill

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Spring Hill Hospitals *

Spring Hill Regional Hospital
10461 Quality Dr
Spring Hill, FL 34609
(352)688-8200

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point
14000 Fivay Rd
Hudson, FL 34667
(727)819-2929

Oak Hill Hospital
11375 Cortez Blvd
Brooksville, FL 34613
(352)596-6632

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Springhill
12440 Cortez Blvd
Brooksville, FL 34613
(352)592-4250

Spring Brook Hospital
7007 Grove Rd
Brookville, FL 34609
(352)596-4306

Brooksville Regional Hospital
17240 Cortez Blvd
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352)796-5111

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
6600 Madison St
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727)842-8468

Community Hospital of New Port Richey
5637 Marine Pkwy
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727)848-1733

Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital
1395 S Pinellas Ave
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727)942-5000

Pasco Regional Medical Center
13100 Fort King Rd
Dade City, FL 33525
(352)521-1100

University Community Hospital
3100 E Fletcher Ave
Tampa, FL 33613
(813)971-6000

James A Haley VA Medical Center
13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa, FL 33612
(813)972-2000

Shriners Hospital for Children
12502 Pine Dr
Tampa, FL 33612
(813)972-2250

H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
12902 Magnolia Dr
Tampa, FL 33612
(813)972-4673

Citrus Memorial Hospital
502 W Highland Blvd
Inverness, FL 34452
(352)726-1551

Town & Country Hospital
6001 Webb Rd
Tampa, FL 33615
(813)888-7060

Mease Countryside Hospital
3231 McMullen-Booth Rd
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727)725-6111

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills
7050 Gall Blvd
Zephyrhills, FL 33541
(813)788-0411

Mease Dunedin Hospital
601 Main St
Dunedin, FL 34698
(727)733-1111

University Community Hospital Carrollwood
7171 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33614
(813)932-2222

Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
4801 N Howard Ave
Tampa, FL 33603
(813)874-7575

St Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa
3001 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
(813)870-4000

St Joseph's Hospital
3001 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
(813)870-4000

St Joseph's Women's Hospital
3030 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
(813)879-4730

Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
6201 N Suncoast Blvd
Crystal River, FL 34428
(352)795-6560

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