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Appendicitis

Appendicitis and where the appendix is located in the body

Appendicitis is a common reason for belly pain. It happens when the appendix becomes infected and inflamed.

Your appendix is a small, finger-shaped sac that is attached to your large intestine. Experts do not know what the appendix does in the body. Most of the time it does not cause problems.

Current as of: November 30, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine

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