Definition

Noun: A congenital disorder characterized by the absence of nerve cells (ganglion cells) in the muscles of part or all of the colon. This absence prevents normal bowel movements, leading to severe constipation, intestinal blockage, and potential enlargement of the colon.

Usage

This term is used specifically in medical contexts to diagnose and describe this particular birth defect affecting the large intestine. - The infant was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease after experiencing chronic constipation and abdominal distension. - Surgery is often required to treat Hirschsprung's disease by removing the affected segment of the bowel.

Advanced Usage

• "Long-segment Hirschsprung's disease": Refers to cases where the absence of nerve cells extends far up the colon.
• "Complications of Hirschsprung's disease": Can include enterocolitis, a serious inflammation of the intestine.

Variants and Related Words

• Aganglionic megacolon: An older, alternative medical term for the same condition.
• Congenital aganglionic megacolon: A more descriptive full name for the disorder.

Synonyms

• Congenital megacolon (This is a direct synonym, though "Hirschsprung's disease" is the standard clinical term.)

Related Phrases

• "To be born with Hirschsprung's disease": Describes the congenital nature of the condition.
• "To undergo pull-through surgery for Hirschsprung's disease": Describes a common surgical treatment.

Noun

1. congenital condition in which the colon does not have the normal network of nerves; there is little urge to defecate so the feces accumulate and cause megacolon