Which part of the digestive system does Crohn's Disease affect?

Crohn's Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This chronic condition is characterized by inflammation that can extend through the layers of the affected bowel tissue and can occur anywhere from the oral cavity to the rectum. While it most commonly affects the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) and the colon, it can indeed impact any part of the GI tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and even the anus.

This widespread potential for inflammation is what distinguishes Crohn's Disease from other bowel disorders that may be more localized, such as ulcerative colitis, which primarily involves the colon. The diverse range of symptoms and complications arising from Crohn's Disease is due to its ability to affect various parts of the digestive system, leading to a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Thus, identifying that it can impact the entire GI tract from oral cavity to rectum accurately reflects the reality of the disease's effects.