Crohn’s & Colitis Glossary

Biologic therapies

Medications made from antibodies of living organisms and/or grown in a laboratory that help to suppress inflammation.

Biomarkers

Molecules in the body, like proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) that may be measured by laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis and management of disease.

Biopsy

A small piece of tissue provided to a pathologist to help diagnose and classify disease.

Biosimilar therapies

Medications that are designed to be near-identical copies of FDA-approved biologic therapies.

Blockage

A partial or complete obstruction or closing off of the small or large intestine that keeps food, liquid, gas, and stool from moving through the intestines in a normal way.

Bowel resection

A surgical procedure to remove a portion of your small or large intestine, that has been damaged by Crohn’s disease.