Crohn’s & Colitis Glossary

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 nutrients, and protects body against microbial infections.

Intestinal fibrosis

An excessive buildup of scar tissue in the intestinal wall.

Intestine

The long, tubelike organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. It

consists of the small and large intestines.

Intravenous (IV)

Taking place within a vein or veins.

Lactoferrin

A stool test for intestinal inflammation that aids in predicting active IBD.

Large intestine

The last part of the gastrointestinal tract (colon, rectum, and anus) where water is absorbed, and stool (poop) is stored before leaving the body.

Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell important in immunity (protection) against infection.