An abnormality resulting from a lack of intestinal ganglion cells (i.e., an aganglionic section of bowel) that results in bowel obstruction with enlargement of the colon. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17965226 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0736-9199 ]
Synonyms: Hirschsprung megacolon Enlarged colon lacking nerve cells
Term information
hposlim_core
Aganglionic megacolon is characterized by congenital absence of intrinsic ganglion cells in the myenteric (Auerbach) and submucosal (Meissner) plexuses of the gastrointestinal tract.