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Appendectomy Center - Wyoming, MI

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Wyoming, Michigan

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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 Wyoming

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Wyoming Hospitals *

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
235 Wealthy St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(800)528-8989

Saint Mary's Health Care
200 Jefferson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616)685-6090

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
100 Michigan St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616)391-9000

Metro Health Hospital
5900 Byron Center Ave SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
(616)252-7200

Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus
100 Michigan St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616)391-1774

Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus
1840 Wealthy St SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616)774-7444

Spectrum Health Kent Community Campus
750 Fuller Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616)486-3000

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
300 68th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616)455-5000

Forest View Hospital
1055 Medical Park Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616)942-9610

Zeeland Community Hospital
8333 Felch St
Zeeland, MI 49464
(616)772-4644

Holland Hospital
602 Michigan Ave
Holland, MI 49423
(616)392-5141

Pennock Hospital
1009 W Green St
Hastings, MI 49058
(269)945-3451

Spectrum Health United Hospital
615 S Bower St
Greenville, MI 48838
(616)754-4691

Allegan General Hospital
555 Linn St
Allegan, MI 49010
(269)673-8424

North Ottawa Community Hospital
1309 Sheldon Rd
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616)842-3600

Borgess Pipp Hospital
411 Naomi St
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269)685-0700

Ionia County Memorial Hospital & Health System
479 Lafayette St
Ionia, MI 48846
(616)527-4200

Mercy Health Partners Mercy Campus
1500 E Sherman Blvd
Muskegon, MI 49444
(231)672-2000

Mercy Health Partners Muskegon General Campus
1700 Oak Ave
Muskegon, MI 49442
(231)672-2000

Mercy Health Partners Hackley Campus
1700 Clinton St
Muskegon, MI 49442
(231)726-3511

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