Final answer:
During a right hemicolectomy, the ascending and a portion of the transverse colon are surgically removed, typically due to a condition like cancer or inflammatory disease. The sigmoid colon and rectum are not removed in this operation, and the appendix, attached to the cecum, is usually also excised.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing a right hemicolectomy, the surgeon will most likely remove portions of the ascending and transverse colon. The large intestine includes several parts: the cecum, the ascending colon (moving upward), the transverse colon (moving across), the descending colon (moving downward), the sigmoid colon (an S-shaped segment), the rectum, and the anus. The right hemicolectomy typically involves the removal of the right side of the colon, which would include the entirety of the ascending colon and a portion of the transverse colon.
A right hemicolectomy is indicated typically when there's a pathological condition affecting the right side of the colon such as cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. It is crucial to be aware that the sigmoid colon and rectum are not generally involved in this specific surgery, unless a more extensive procedure is indicated.
The vestigial organ called the appendix is attached to the cecum of the colon, which is typically removed during a right hemicolectomy along with the aforementioned colonic parts. Following the removal, the remaining sections of the colon are reattached to maintain continuity of the gastrointestinal tract, a process known as anastomosis.