diverticulum

American  

[dahy-ver-tik-yuh-luhm] / ˌdaɪ vərˈtɪk yə ləm /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

diverticula

1. a blind, tubular sac or process branching off from a canal or cavity, especially an abnormal, saclike herniation of the mucosal layer through the muscular wall of the colon.

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diverticulum British  

/ ˌdaɪvəˈtɪkjʊləm /

noun

1. any sac or pouch formed by herniation of the wall of a tubular organ or part, esp the intestines

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diverticulum Scientific  

/ dī′vûr-tĭk′yə-ləm /

plural

diverticula

1. A pouch or sac branching out from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the large intestine. A diverticulum can occur as a normal structure, or it can be caused by a hernia.

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Other Word Forms

• diverticular adjective

Etymology

Origin of diverticulum

1640–50; < Latin, variant of dēverticulum byway, tributary, means of escape, equivalent to dēverti- (combining form of dēvertere, equivalent to dē- de- + vertere to turn) + -culum -cule ²

Example Sentences

He got fat, a diverticulum or sac developed in the colon, and the sac became inflamed.

From Time Magazine Archive

In Dulles' case there was a characteristic, unmistakable diverticulum.

From Time Magazine Archive

In all, the book lists more than 650 symptoms and discusses nearly 500 diseases�from acne and cold sores to Zenker's diverticulum, an unnatural pouch that sometimes develops in the esophagus of elderly people.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ten and one-half hours before his scheduled March 15 swearing-in, Neves underwent emergency surgery for Meckel's diverticulum, an intestinal ailment.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cross section through the base of the proboscis showing diverticulum wall and proboscis gland.

From Journal of Entomology and Zoology Volume Eleven, Number Two, June 1919 by Various