Hirschsprung's Disease

Picture of Hirschsprung's disease

In Hirschsprung's disease, certain nerve cells (ganglion cells) in a portion of the colon are missing. Because the muscles in that area can't relax, the muscle contractions that normally push food and digestive waste through that part of the colon can't occur. The picture on the right shows a colon in which the rectum lacks ganglion nerve cells, causing swelling in the area above it.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerJohn Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical ReviewerBrad W. Warner, MD - Pediatric Surgery
Last RevisedApril 13, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 13, 2012
Medical Review: John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Brad W. Warner, MD - Pediatric Surgery

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