Definition of Appendicitis
Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, the small worm-like projection from the first part of the colon. Appendicitis usually involves infection of the appendix by bacteria that invade it and infect the wall of the appendix. Appendicitis can progress to produce an abscess (a pocket of pus) and even peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen and pelvis).
The most common signs and symptoms of
appendicitis are fever, and
abdominal tenderness, and right lower quadrant abdominal pain most marked at what is called McBurney's point. Appendicitis is suspected on the basis of the patient's history and physical examination. A white blood cell count, urinalysis, abdominal x-ray, barium enema, ultrasonography, CT scan, and laparoscopy also may be helpful in diagnosis.
Because of the varying size and location of the appendix and the proximity of other organs to the appendix, it may be difficult to differentiate appendicitis from other abdominal and pelvic diseases. The treatment for appendicitis is antibiotics and appendectomy (surgery to remove the appendix). Complications of appendectomy may include wound infection and abscess.
The most exquisitely tender area of the abdomen in the
early stage of appendicitis, this point is named after the New
York surgeon Charles McBurney (1845-1913), the leading authority in
his day on appendicitis. In 1889, McBurney showed that incipient
appendicitis could be detected by applying pressure to a particular
spot in the right lower abdomen, a point he called the "seat
of greatest pain," which corresponds to the normal location of the
base of the appendix.
Last Editorial Review: 10/21/2004Common Misspellings: appendics, apendicitis, appendicitus, appendisitis, apendisitis, appendasitis, appendicits
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.
- Ultrasound - Learn an ultrasound procedure, and conditions and diseases it assists in diagnosing and screening like tumors, cysts, heart conditions and more.
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