Diverticula are small pockets, or pouches, that form in the wall of the intestine. A person with diverticulosis has one or more diverticula in the intestine.

About 30 percent of Americans over 60 years of age have diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis does not cause symptoms. Inflammation of the diverticula, called diverticulitis, can cause abdominal pain and bleeding into the stool.