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Appendectomy Center - Toms River, NJ

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Toms River, New Jersey

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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 Toms River

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Toms River Hospitals *

St Barnabas Behavioral Health Center
1691 US Highway 9
Toms River, NJ 08754
(732)914-1688

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Toms River
14 Hospital Dr
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732)244-3100

Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 W
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732)557-8000

Children's Specialized Hospital Toms River
94 Stevens Rd
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732)914-1100

Kimball Medical Center
600 River Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732)363-1900

Ocean Medical Center
425 Jack Martin Blvd
Brick, NJ 08724
(732)840-2200

Southern Ocean County Hospital
1140 Route 72 W
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609)597-6011

Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07754
(732)775-5500

Buttonwood Hospital of Burlington County
600 Pemberton-Browns Mill Rd
New Lisbon, NJ 08064
(609)726-7000

Deborah Heart & Lung Center
200 Trenton Rd
Browns Mills, NJ 08015
(609)893-6611

CentraState Medical Center
901 W Main St
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732)431-2000

HEALTHSOUTH Tinton Falls Rehabilitation Hospital
2 Centre Plz
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
(732)460-5320

Monmouth Medical Center
300 2nd Ave
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732)222-5200

Specialty Hospital at Monmouth
300 2nd Ave
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732)923-5037

Riverview Medical Center
1 Riverview Plz
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732)741-2700

Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge Division
One Hospital Plz
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
(732)360-1000

Bayshore Community Hospital
727 N Beers St
Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732)739-5900

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Pl
Trenton, NJ 08690
(609)586-7900

Virtua Memorial Hospital Burlington County
175 Madison Ave
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
(609)267-0700

Virtua Health & Rehabilitation Center @ Mt Holly
62 Richmond Ave
Lumberton, NJ 08048
(609)267-8800

St Francis Medical Center
601 Hamilton Ave
Trenton, NJ 08629
(609)599-5000

Hampton Behavioral Health Center
650 Rancocas Rd
Westampton, NJ 08060
(609)267-7000

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