Megacolon (also known as Megacolons): Dilatation of the COLON, often to alarming dimensions. There are various types of megacolon including congenital megacolon in HIRSCHSPRUNG DISEASE, idiopathic megacolon in CONSTIPATION, and TOXIC MEGACOLON.

NIH MeSH · D008531Diseases

Megacolon

Also known asMegacolons

Definition

Dilatation of the COLON, often to alarming dimensions. There are various types of megacolon including congenital megacolon in HIRSCHSPRUNG DISEASE, idiopathic megacolon in CONSTIPATION, and TOXIC MEGACOLON.

MeSH classification

  • C06.405.469.158.701

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Common questions about Megacolon

What does Megacolon mean in medicine?
Dilatation of the COLON, often to alarming dimensions. There are various types of megacolon including congenital megacolon in HIRSCHSPRUNG DISEASE, idiopathic megacolon in CONSTIPATION, and TOXIC MEGACOLON. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Megacolon known by any other names?
Yes. Megacolon is also referred to as Megacolons in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Megacolon sit in the medical classification?
Megacolon falls under the broader medical category "Diseases" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: C06.405.469.158.701). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Megacolon?
For a plain-language explanation of Megacolon - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Megacolon" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D008531) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗