Diverticulum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A diverticulum (plural: diverticula) is medical term for an outpouching of a hollow (or a fluid filled) structure in the body. Its use implies that the structure is not normally present, although embryologically, some normal structures begin development as a diverticulum arising off of another structure (for example, the lungs begin as a diverticulum forming off of the ventral foregut).
In no particular order, some frequently encountered diverticula follow:
- Bladder diverticulum: Balloon-like growths on the bladder commonly associated with a chronic outflow obstruction, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy in older males. Usually found in pairs on opposite sides of the bladder, bladder diverticula are often surgically removed to prevent infection, rupture, or even cancer.
- Colonic diverticula: These can become infected (see diverticulitis) and can perforate, requiring surgery
- Diverticulum of Kummerall: unusual nomenclature, in that focal dilatations of a blood vessel are properly referred to as aneurysms
- Duodenal & Jejunal diverticul(um|a): congenital lesions, may be a source of bacterial overgrowth
- Epiphrenic diverticulum: due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, as in achalasia
- Killian-Jamieson diverticulum
- Meckel's diverticulum: a persistent portion of the omphalomesenteric duct present in 2% of the population
- Traction esophageal diverticulum: due to scarring from mediastinal or pulmonary tuberculosis
- Urethral diverticulum: congenital in males, post-infectious in females
- Zenker's diverticulum
