Diverticulosis of the large intestine

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Diverticulosis is the presence of one or more balloon-like sacs (diverticula), usually in the large intestine (colon).

Spasms of the muscular layer of the intestine are thought to cause diverticula.
Diverticula usually cause no symptoms, but sometimes they become inflamed or bleed, causing blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum.
Typically, the diagnosis is confirmed by colonoscopy, barium enema, computed tomography (CT) scan, or video capsule endoscopy.
A high-fiber diet and stool-bulking agents are given, but sometimes bleeding occurs and requires colonoscopy or even surgery.

(See also Definition of Diverticular Disease.)
Diverticula in the colon occur when a defect develops in the thick, muscular middle layer of the bowel. The thin inner layers of the bowel bulge out through the defect and create a small sac. Diverticula usually do not cause any problems but they sometimes become inflamed or bleed.
Diverticula may develop anywhere in the large intestine, but they are more common in the sigmoid colon, which is the last part of the large intestine just before the rectum. Diverticula vary in diameter from 1/10 inch to 1 inch (about