Glossary: diverticulitis

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

The longest part of the large intestine, which is a tube-like organ connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other. The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus.

Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body. This is a protective reaction to injury, disease, or irritation of the tissues.

A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.