Diverticula are saclike mucosal pouches that protrude from a tubular structure.
True diverticula of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract contain all layers of the GI wall. Esophageal diverticula (including Zenker diverticula) and Meckel diverticula are true diverticula.
False or pseudo-diverticula are mucosal and submucosal protrusions through the muscular wall of the bowel. Colonic diverticula are pseudodiverticula.
A single pouch is called a diverticulum and ≥ 2 pouches are called diverticula. These terms are occasionally used incorrectly.
Diverticulosis is the presence of 1 or more diverticula.
Diverticular disease is characterized as symptomatic diverticulosis (1).
Diverticulitis is inflammation with or without infection of a diverticulum.
General reference
1. Schultz JK, Azhar N, Binda GA, et al. European Society of Coloproctology: Guidelines for the management of diverticular disease of the colon. Colorectal Dis 22 (supplement 2):S5–S28, 2020. doi: 10.1111/codi.15140
