diverticulum

noun di·ver·tic·u·lum \ ˌdī-vər-ˈti-kyə-ləm \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of diverticulum

plural diverticula play \-lə\

1 : an abnormal pouch or sac opening from a hollow organ (such as the intestine or bladder)

2 : a pocket or closed branch opening off a main passage

—

diverticular

play \-kyə-lər\ adjective

Recent Examples of diverticulum from the Web

If the diverticulum ruptures, bacteria escape into the abdomen, leading to a more widespread infection.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Diverticulitis can cause digestive problems for some," 7 June 2018
Zenker’s diverticulum is a pouch that forms where the pharynx, or voicebox, meets the esophagus.

— sandra g. boodman, Washington Post, "She’d lost a lot of weight and had trouble swallowing. Was she dying?," 17 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diverticulum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of diverticulum

New Latin, from Latin, bypath, probably alteration of deverticulum, from devertere to turn aside, from de- + vertere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1819

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

diverticulum

noun di·ver·tic·u·lum \ ˌdī-vər-ˈtik-yə-ləm \

medical Definition of diverticulum

plural diverticula play \-lə\

1 : an abnormal pouch or sac opening from a hollow organ (as the colon or bladder)

2 : a blind tube or sac branching off from a cavity or canal of the body

the liver is an anterior diverticulum of the intestine
—Gordon Alexander

Learn More about diverticulum

Britannica English: Translation of diverticulum for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diverticulum

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

diverticulitis

diverticulosis

diverticulum

divertimento

diverting

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