diverticulum

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

noun, plural di·ver·tic·u·la [dahy-ver-tik-yuh-luh] /ˌdaɪ vərˈtɪk yə lə/. Anatomy.

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.

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 -cule2

OTHER WORDS FROM diverticulum

di·ver·tic·u·lar, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for diverticulum

British Dictionary definitions for diverticulum

diverticulum
/ (ˌdaɪvəˈtɪkjʊləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

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

Derived forms of diverticulum

diverticular, adjective

Word Origin for diverticulum

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

Medical definitions for diverticulum

diverticulum
[ dī′vûr-tĭkyə-ləm ]

n. pl. di•ver•tic•u•la (-lə)

A pouch or sac branching out from a hollow organ or structure.

Other words from diverticulum

di′ver•ticu•lar adj.

Scientific definitions for diverticulum

diverticulum
[ dī′vûr-tĭkyə-ləm ]

Plural diverticula

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.