Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
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.
noun plural -la (-lə)
- any sac or pouch formed by herniation of the wall of a tubular organ or part, esp the intestines
“blind tube” (anatomical), 1819, Modern Latin, from Latin deverticulum “a bypath,” from devertere “to turn aside” (see divert).
n. pl. di•ver•tic•u•la (-lə)
- A pouch or sac branching out from a hollow organ or structure.
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.