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 diverticulum follow:

• Zenker's diverticulum
• Killian-Jamieson diverticulum
• Traction esophageal diverticulum: due to scarring from mediastinal or pulmonary tuberculosis
• Epiphrenic diverticulum: due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, as in achalasia
• Duodenal & Jejunal diverticul(um|a): congenital lesions, may be a source of bacterial overgrowth
• Meckel's diverticulum: a persistent portion of the omphalomesenteric duct present in 2% of the population
• 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
• Bladder diverticulum; commonly associated with a chronic outflow obstruction, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy in an older male
• Urethral diverticulum: congenital in males, post-infectious in females

Medical terms | Divertikel | Diverticolo | Divertikel