megacolon Definition
- 1an abnormal dilation of the colon, often caused by an obstruction or a failure of the nerves that control the muscles of the colon
- 2a congenital condition in which the colon is abnormally enlarged
Using megacolon: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "megacolon" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Megacolon can cause severe constipation and abdominal pain.
Example
Hirschsprung's disease is a type of megacolon that occurs in infants.
Example
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can lead to megacolon.
📌
Summary: megacolon in Brief
The term 'megacolon' [meg-uh-koh-luhn] refers to an abnormal dilation of the colon, often caused by an obstruction or a failure of the nerves that control the muscles of the colon. It can also be a congenital condition in which the colon is abnormally enlarged. Megacolon can cause severe constipation and abdominal pain, and is associated with conditions such as Hirschsprung's disease and Chagas disease.
