Duodenal Diverticulum

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Medical Author:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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A duodenal diverticulum (the plural of which is diverticula) is a pouch attached to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine just past the stomach.

There are two types of duodenal diverticula. The common type which is present in at least 6% of individuals, is one that sticks out from the duodenum, similar to the more common colonic diverticula. This is referred to as an "extramural" diverticulum. Extramural diverticula may vary in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. They usually are located in the area around the Papilla of Vater where the bile and pancreatic ducts enter the duodenum.

A second, rare type of diverticulum is referred to as an "intramural" diverticulum. It does not protrude from the duodenum. Rather, it protrudes into the duodenal lumen (the hollow inside of the duodenum through which digesting food flows). Both types of diverticula, extramural and intramural, communicate with the lumen of the duodenum so that contents of the duodenum can enter the diverticulum.