Diverticula are saclike mucosal pouches that protrude from a tubular structure.
True diverticula of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract contain all layers of the GI wall. Esophageal diverticula (including Zenker diverticula) and Meckel diverticula are true diverticula.
False or pseudo-diverticula are mucosal and submucosal protrusions through the muscular wall of the bowel. Colonic diverticula are pseudodiverticula.
A single pouch is called a diverticulum and ≥ 2 pouches are called diverticula. These terms are occasionally used incorrectly.
Diverticulosis is the presence of one or more diverticula.
Diverticular disease is characterized as symptomatic diverticulosis (1).
Diverticulitis is inflammation with or without infection of a diverticulum.
General reference
1. Schultz JK, Azhar N, Binda GA, et al: European Society of Coloproctology: Guidelines for the management of diverticular disease of the colon. Colorectal Dis 22 (supplement 2):S5–S28, 2020. doi: 10.1111/codi.15140
