Final answer:
Acute Appendicitis is the sudden onset of inflammation and infection of the appendix, thus the correct answer is c) Sudden Infection of the Appendix. It is a serious medical condition that often requires an appendectomy to prevent complications like peritonitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnostic term Acute Appendicitis refers to the sudden onset of inflammation of the appendix. This condition is characterized by a severe stomachache that escalates quickly due to an infection in the appendix. The appendix is a small, blind-ended tube connected to the cecum, and because of its structure, it is prone to infection by becoming obstructed with indigestible material which can create an ideal environment for bacteria to cause an infection. If not treated promptly, the infection can worsen, potentially causing the appendix to burst and leading to a potentially life-threatening condition called peritonitis.
Acutely inflamed appendices must be surgically removed to prevent complications such as the spread of infection throughout the abdominal cavity. The surgical procedure to remove an inflamed appendix is called an appendectomy. After removal, most individuals do not experience significant long-term effects, as the appendix is considered a vestigial organ with an unclear role in adult humans, though it may contribute to immunity or the gut microbiome.