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Appendectomy Center - Vacaville, CA

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Vacaville, California

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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 Vacaville

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Vacaville Hospitals *

VacaValley Hospital
1000 Nut Tree Rd
Vacaville, CA 95687
(707)446-4000

NorthBay Medical Center
1200 B Gale Wilson Blvd
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707)646-5000

Telecare Solano Psychiatric Health Facility
2101 Courage Dr
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707)784-2130

Napa State Hospital
2100 Napa Vallejo Hwy
Napa, CA 94558
(707)253-5000

Queen of the Valley Medical Center
1000 Trancas St
Napa, CA 94558
(707)252-4411

Sutter Davis Hospital
2000 Sutter Pl
Davis, CA 95616
(530)756-6440

Sutter Solano Medical Center
300 Hospital Dr
Vallejo, CA 94589
(707)554-4444

Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center
975 Sereno Dr
Vallejo, CA 94589
(707)651-1000

St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health
525 Oregon St
Vallejo, CA 94590
(707)648-2200

Woodland Healthcare
1325 Cottonwood St
Woodland, CA 95695
(530)662-3961

Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
2500 Alhambra Ave
Martinez, CA 94553
(925)370-5000

John Muir Behavioral Health Center
2740 Grant St
Concord, CA 94520
(925)674-4100

VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez
150 Muir Rd
Martinez, CA 94553
(925)372-2000

John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus
2540 East St
Concord, CA 94520
(925)682-8200

Sonoma Valley Hospital
347 Andrieux St
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707)935-5000

Sutter Delta Medical Center
3901 Lone Tree Way
Antioch, CA 94509
(925)779-7200

St Helena Hospital
10 Woodland Rd
Saint Helena, CA 94574
(707)963-3611

John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Campus
1601 Ygnacio Valley Rd
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(925)939-3000

Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center
6600 Bruceville Rd
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916)688-2000

Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center
1425 S Main St
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925)295-4000

Methodist Hospital of Sacramento
7500 Hospital Dr
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916)423-3000

Sierra Vista Hospital
8001 Bruceville Rd
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916)423-2000

Sutter General Hospital
2801 L St
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916)454-2222

Shriners Hospital Northern California
2425 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916)453-2000

UC Davis Medical Center
2315 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916)734-2011

Mercy General Hospital
4001 J St
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916)453-4545

Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo
2000 Vale Rd
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510)970-5000

Sutter Memorial Hospital
5151 F St
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916)454-3333

Sutter Center for Psychiatry
7700 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916)386-3000

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