Etymed
diverticulitis
Definition
inflammation of diverticula (small sacs) in the intestinal wall
Clinical context
A 55-year-old man presents to the emergency department with 3 days of left-sided abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis. He has a history of constipation and a diet low in fiber. Physical examination reveals left lower quadrant tenderness with guarding. A CT scan shows multiple diverticula with surrounding inflammation in the sigmoid colon. His symptoms are consistent with diverticulitis, an inflammatory condition of the diverticula in the intestinal wall.
Mnemonic
DIVERTICULITIS: DIVERticular inflammation with VOMITing, ELEVATED WBC, RASH, TENDER abdomen
These morphemes also unlock…
- divertic/o — diverticulum; small sac
- ul — diminutive suffix
- itis — inflammation