Definition

1. Noun:
   • A herniation through the muscular wall of a tubular organ (especially the colon): A diverticulum is a small, bulging pouch or sac that forms in the lining of the digestive system, most commonly in the colon. It is an abnormal outpouching of the organ wall.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The colonoscopy revealed a small diverticulum in the sigmoid colon.
  • A diverticulum can sometimes become inflamed, a condition known as diverticulitis.

Advanced Usage

• "False diverticulum": Refers to a diverticulum that does not involve all layers of the intestinal wall.
  • A pseudodiverticulum, or false diverticulum, involves only the mucosal layer.
• "Meckel's diverticulum": A specific, common congenital diverticulum of the small intestine.
  • Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of the embryonic yolk sac.

Variants and Related Words

• Diverticula (n, plural): The plural form of diverticulum.
  • Multiple diverticula are present in the condition called diverticulosis.
• Diverticulosis (n): The condition of having multiple diverticula in the colon.
  • Diverticulosis is often asymptomatic.
• Diverticulitis (n): The inflammation or infection of one or more diverticula.
  • Acute diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain and fever.

Synonyms

• Pouch: A general term for a small bag or sack, which can describe the structure of a diverticulum.
• Outpouching: A descriptive medical term for a structure that bulges outward from a hollow organ.

Related Phrases

• "To develop a diverticulum": The process of a diverticulum forming.
  • Increased pressure in the colon can cause a person to develop a diverticulum.
• "Perforated diverticulum": A serious complication where a diverticulum ruptures.
  • A perforated diverticulum requires immediate surgical intervention.

Noun

1. a herniation through the muscular wall of a tubular organ (especially the colon)