Crohn’s & Colitis Glossary

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (also known as IPAA or J-pouch)

A surgical procedure in which an internal pouch is created from a portion of the small intestine and connected to the anus.

Ileostomy

A type of ostomy in which the stoma is formed by bringing a loop or the end of the small intestine through the abdominal wall and then your stool (poop) will empty into a pouch secured to the skin.

Immune response

The way your body defends itself against substances it sees as harmful or foreign.

Immune system

A system of tissues and cells in the body that work to protect it from infections and diseases.

Immunomodulators

Medications that change the way the immune system works.

Immunosuppressive

A type of drug that works against the body’s immune (protective) response.

Indeterminate colitis (also known as IBD-unclassified)

A type of IBD that shares characteristics of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis but cannot be diagnosed as either.

Inflammation

Part of the body’s immune response to protect it from harmful irritants, viruses, and damaged cells. Without inflammation, infections and wounds would not heal.

Intestinal epithelium

A layer of cells lining the small and large intestine that helps digestion of food, absorbs nutients, and protects body against microbial infections.

Intestinal fibrosis

An excessive buildup of scar tissue in the intestinal wall.