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(dÄ«'vÃ»r-tÄ­k'yÉ-lÉm) Plural diverticula. A pouch or sac branching out from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the large intestine. A diverticulum can occur as a normal structure, or it can be caused by a hernia.
This occurs because diverticula, small bulging pouches, develop fairly commonly within the digestive systemâs inner lining, most often in the lower part of the colon (or large intestine). The development of diverticula are quite typical after the age of 40-years old. However, they seldom cause pain or health problems.