Diverticulitis is best described as which of the following?

• A. Chronic presence of diverticula
• B. Inflammation and infection of one or more diverticula in the colon
• C. Blockage of small intestine
• D. Allergic reaction in colon

Answer: (B)

Diverticulitis is the inflammation and infection of one or more diverticula in the colon. This condition occurs when small pouches (diverticula) that have formed in the colon become inflamed or infected, leading to symptoms like acute abdominal pain (often in the lower left quadrant), fever, and possible leukocytosis. Distinguishing it from diverticulosis is important: diverticulosis is simply the presence of diverticula without inflammation. The other options describe different problems—blockage of the small intestine is a mechanical obstruction of the small bowel, and an allergic reaction in the colon is not how diverticulitis presents—so they don’t fit the description of diverticulitis.