| diverse | To turn aside. "The redcross knight diverst, but forth rode Britomart." (Spenser) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| diversity | <ecology> The number and variety of species present in an area and their spatial distribution. (09 Oct 1997) |
| diversity index | <ecology> The relationship of the number of taxa (richness) to the number of individuals per taxon (abundance) for a given community. (09 Oct 1997) |
| diverticle | 1. A turning; a byway; a bypath. 2. <anatomy> A diverticulum. Origin: L. Diverticulum, deverticulum, a bypath, fr. Divertere to turn away. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| diverticula | The plural of diverticulum. As a person ages, pressure within the large intestine (colon) causes pockets of tissue (sacs) that push out from the colon walls. A small bulging sac pushing outward from the colon wall is a diverticulum. Diverticula can occur throughout the colon but are most common near the end of the left side of the colon, the sigmoid colon. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diverticula ampullae ductus deferentis | The irregular sacculations of the ampullary part of the ductus deferens near its termination in the ejaculatory duct. Synonym: diverticula ampullae ductus deferentis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diverticula of ampulla of ductus deferens | The irregular sacculations of the ampullary part of the ductus deferens near its termination in the ejaculatory duct. Synonym: diverticula ampullae ductus deferentis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diverticula of colon | Diverticula, which are herniations of mucosa and submucosa through or between fibres of the major muscle layer (muscularis propria) of the colon. Usually multiple, it occurs in 50% of western populations above the age of 70, but is much less common in other populations. Can cause bleeding and episodes of severe inflammation. Synonym: colonic diverticula. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diverticular | <anatomy> Pertaining to a diverticulum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| diverticular disease | Symptomatic congenital or acquired diverticula of any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. Such diverticula occur in about 15% of the population but rarely cause symptoms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diverticular disease of colon | <radiology> Overactivity of smooth muscle causing herniation of mucosa and submucosa through the muscle layers, incidence: 5-10% in 5th decade; 50% past 7th decade; M:F = 1:1, aetiology: decreased faecal bulk; diet high in refined fibre and low in roughage, location: sigmoid (80%): narrowest colonic segment with highest pressure, entire colon (17%), caecum/ascending colon (4-12%) see also: prediverticular disease of colon, colonic diverticulosis, colonic diverticulitis, colonic diverticular hemmorrhage (12 Dec 1998) |
| diverticulate | <botany> Having short offshoots approximately at right angles to the main stem. (09 Oct 1997) |
| diverticulectomy | Excision of a diverticulum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diverticulitis | <pathology, surgery> Inflammation of a diverticulum, especially inflammation related to colonic diverticula, which may undergo perforation with abscess formation. Sometimes called left sided appendicitis. (18 Nov 1997) |
| diverticulitis, bleeding from | Diverticular bleeding typically occurs intermittently over several days. Colonoscopy is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis and exclude bleeding from other causes. Thermal probes cannot be employed to stop active diverticular bleeding. Therefore, surgical removal of the bleeding diverticula is necessary for those with persistent bleeding. (12 Dec 1998) |