Diverticulosis is described as small bulging sacs or pouches in the inner lining of the intestines that become inflamed or infected. Which term matches this description?

Diverticulosis is described as small bulging sacs or pouches in the inner lining of the intestines that become inflamed or infected. Which term matches this description?

• A. Diverticulitis
• B. Diverticulosis
• C. Crohn's disease
• D. Ulcerative colitis

Answer: (B)

Think of diverticula as little pouches that can form in the wall of the colon. If those pouches are simply present, that condition is called diverticulosis. The word diverticulitis is used when one or more of those pouches becomes inflamed or infected. The description given mentions the pouches and also their inflammation, so the feature that defines the actual condition is the inflammation. In other words, the term that matches an inflamed diverticulum is diverticulitis, not diverticulosis. Diverticulosis describes the presence of the pouches alone, often without symptoms.

Think of diverticula as little pouches that can form in the wall of the colon. If those pouches are simply present, that condition is called diverticulosis. The word diverticulitis is used when one or more of those pouches becomes inflamed or infected. The description given mentions the pouches and also their inflammation, so the feature that defines the actual condition is the inflammation. In other words, the term that matches an inflamed diverticulum is diverticulitis, not diverticulosis. Diverticulosis describes the presence of the pouches alone, often without symptoms.