Diverticula Diverticulum (singular) is an outpouching of the wall of the to form a sac. Diverticula (plural) may occur at any level from esophagus to colon. True diverticulum includes all three layers of the wall; mucosa, muscularis & outer serosa. False diverticula are missing muscularis & therefore very thin walled. Colonic diverticula are typically false. True diverticula * contains all layers of the wall of the parent organ (typically mucosa, muscular layer and serosa) * uncommon * e.g. Meckel diverticulum, rectal diverticulum False diverticula * does not contain all layers (typically mucosa pushed though defect in muscular layer) * the vast majority of all diverticula * e.g. colonic diverticulum Additionally diverticula may be subdivided according to mechanism of formation into: Pulsion diverticula * due to increased luminal pressure * common * e.g. Zenker diverticulum, colonic diverticulum Traction diverticula * due to pulling of the wall of the viscus * uncommon * e.g. tracheal diverticulum Satyendra Dhar MD, @DharSaty #diverticula #meckles #trueduverticula #zenkers #prolapse
