diverticular disease Diverticulosis is the presence of pouch‐like hernias (diverticula) through the muscle layer of the colon, associated with a low intake of dietary fibre and high intestinal pressure due to straining during defecation. Faecal matter can be trapped in these diverticula, causing them to become inflamed, causing pain and diarrhoea, the condition of diverticulitis. See also gastro‐intestinal tract.

diverticular disease (dy-ver-tik-yoo-ler) n. a condition in which there are diverticula (see diverticulum) in the colon associated with lower abdominal pain and disturbed bowel habit. The pain is due to spasm of the muscle of the intestine and not to inflammation of the diverticula (compare diverticulitis).

diverticulosis (dy-ver-tik-yoo-loh-sis) n. a condition in which diverticula exist in a segment of the intestine without evidence of inflammation (compare diverticulitis).