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Hirschsprung's disease

Illustration copyright 2000, 2003 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

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 illustration on the right shows a colon in which the rectum lacks ganglion nerve cells, causing swelling in the area above it.

Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD
- Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Paul E. Hyman, MD
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Last Updated October 16, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 16, 2006
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