Path. [med. or mod.L., f. L. volvĕre to turn, twist.] A form of intestinal obstruction caused by a twisting or knotting of the bowel. † Also in pl. volvuli.
1679. J. Smith, Eng. Improv. Reviv’d, 247. When the Entrals are stopt that they cannot void, it is the Volvuli or wringing of the Guts.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. s.v. Ileum, Sometimes the Coats being doubled inward, the upper part of an Intestine sinks or falls with the lower, which makes the Iliack-Passion, or Volvulus.
1755. A. Monro, in Ess. Phys. & Lit. (1756), II. 353. Remarks on … Intussusceptio, Inflammation, and Volvulus of the Intestines.
1799. Med. Jrnl., I. 429. Pneumonic Inflammation,… Peritoneal Inflammation,… Volvulus.
1846. Brittan, trans. Malgaigne’s Man. Oper. Surg., 396. The exact seat of the foreign body, volvulus, or strangulation.
1885. Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., I. 22/1. Volvulus is sometimes induced by violent muscular exertions, as in jumping or lifting.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 815. Under the general name ‘volvulus’ are included two distinct modes of obstruction. In one the bowel is so twisted about its mesenteric axis that it becomes occluded; in the other form two suitable coils of intestine are so intertwined or knotted together as also to cause an obstruction in their canals.
b. With a: An instance of this.
1758. J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 187. There might be a Volvulus. Ibid., 189. A Volvulus may be the Consequence of that Inflammation, and of the antiperistaltick Motion that succeeds it.
1887. Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., IV. 156/2. Once a volvulus has become fairly established, it cannot spontaneously relieve itself.
1891. F. Taylor, Pract. Med. (ed. 2), 587. Occasionally the small intestine forms a volvulus of the same kind as that described in the sigmoid.
