diverticulum

noun
di·​ver·​tic·​u·​lum | \ ˌdī-vər-ˈti-kyə-ləm How to pronounce diverticulum (audio) \
plural diverticula\ ˌdī-​vər-​ˈti-​kyə-​lə How to pronounce diverticula (audio) \

Definition of diverticulum

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

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Other Words from diverticulum

diverticular \ ˌdī-​vər-​ˈti-​kyə-​lər How to pronounce diverticular (audio) \ adjective

Examples of diverticulum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As pressure increases inside the diverticulum, the cells inside get less blood flow and the wall can burst. Andrea K. Mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Diverticulitis can cause digestive problems for some," 7 June 2018 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.

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First Known Use of diverticulum

circa 1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for diverticulum

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

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More Definitions for diverticulum

diverticulum

noun
di·​ver·​tic·​u·​lum | \ ˌdī-vər-ˈtik-yə-ləm How to pronounce diverticulum (audio) \
plural diverticula\ -​lə How to pronounce diverticula (audio) \

Medical Definition of diverticulum

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