Inflammation, surgery, or trauma can cause tissues to bond to other tissue or organs (much like the process of forming scar tissue). Sometimes, fibrous bands (adhesions) can be formed between the two surfaces. Abdominal surgery, congenital bands, or attacks of appendicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease can also cause intraperitoneal adhesions.

Depending on the tissues involved, adhesions can cause various disorders. In the eye, adhesion of the iris to the lens can lead to glaucoma. In the intestines, adhesions can cause partial or complete bowel obstruction.

Intrauterine adhesions occur often enough that they have a name of their own -- Asherman syndrome. Pelvic adhesions can lead to infertility and reproductive problems.