abnormal widening of the colon that may be inborn or may result from chronic constipation or obstipation
an abnormal enlargement of the colon; can be congenital (as in Hirschsprung's disease) or acquired (as when children refuse to defecate)
a situation where the diameter of the colon is much larger than normal and has lost its normal ability to push fecal material into the rectum for defecation
A dilated colon. This may result from chronic constipation. It is also associated spurs Hirschsprung's disease. Toxic megacolon may result from also of colitis.
huge, swollen colon; results from severe constipation. See also Hirschsprung's disease.
A huge, swollen colon. Results from severe constipation.
An abnormally enlarged colon.
Megacolon is an abnormal dilatation of the colon (a part of the large intestines) that is not caused by mechanical obstruction. The dilatation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel, resulting in chronic constipation. In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called fecalomas (literally, fecal tumor), which require surgery to be removed.
