Diverticulosis

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How Do Diverticuli Form?

There are tiny weak points throughout the large bowel wall where small blood vessels move through. Most of the time this is not a problem. However, if the pressure within the colon is excessive and frequent, as occurs in the sigmoid colon, then there is a ballooning effect and a small pocket is pushed outward. Gradually, over many years, the pocket enlarges and becomes thin-walled, just like a balloon does when air is continuously pumped into it. This is when trouble can start. Furthermore, these do not occur one at a time but rather can develop in large numbers.
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