Merck Manual

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Definition of Diverticular Disease

By

Joel A. Baum

, MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai;


Rafael Antonio Ching Companioni

, MD, HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital

Reviewed/Revised Nov 2022
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Topic Resources

Diverticular disease is characterized by small, balloon-like sacs (diverticula) protruding through the layers of particular structures in the gastrointestinal tract (digestive tract).

A single sac is called a diverticulum. Two or more sacs are called diverticula.

By far, the most common site for diverticula to develop is in the large intestine Large Intestine The large intestine consists of the Cecum and ascending (right) colon Transverse colon Descending (left) colon Sigmoid colon (which is connected to the rectum) read more (colon). Diverticula of the colon occur when the inner layers of the bowel protrude through the outer muscular layers.

The Digestive System

The Digestive System
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