diverticulum

[ dahy-ver-tik-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural di·ver·tic·u·la [dahy-ver-, tik, -y, uh, -l, uh].

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.

diverticulum

/ ˌdaɪvəˈtɪkjʊləm /

noun

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

diverticulum

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˌdiverˈticular, adjective

Other Words From

• diver·ticu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diverticulum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of diverticulum¹

C16: from New Latin, from Latin dēverticulum by-path, from dēvertere to turn aside, from vertere to turn

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

To these may be added, according to Kupffer, in the embryonic stage, the anterior diverticulum of the gut (Fig. 166).

From Project Gutenberg

Section through the point of junction of the salivary ducts with the median oral diverticulum.

From Project Gutenberg

At this or some earlier period, the intestine gave forth a much larger diverticulum or cæcum than that now existing.

From Project Gutenberg

More ventrally another slight diverticulum probably represents the infundibulum.

From Project Gutenberg