Inflammatory bowel disease (
IBD) is a group of
inflammatory conditions of the
colon and
small intestine.
Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis are the principal types of inflammatory bowel disease. It is important to note that not only does Crohn's disease affect the small intestine and large intestine, it can also affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach and the anus whereas ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and the rectum.