Disease or Syndrome
colitis Audio
co·li·tis [ kuh-lahy-tis, koh- ]
Subclass of:
Colonic Diseases; Gastroenteritis
Etymology:
Greek kolon = large bowel + -itis = inflammation
Definitions related to colitis:
  • Colitis refers to an inflammation of the colon and is often used to describe an inflammation of the large intestine (colon, cecum and rectum). Colitides may be acute and self-limited or chronic, and broadly fit into the category of digestive diseases.
    Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)
    The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2025
  • Inflammation of the COLON section of the large intestine (INTESTINE, LARGE), usually with symptoms such as DIARRHEA (often with blood and mucus), ABDOMINAL PAIN, and FEVER.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A disorder characterized by inflammation of the colon.
    Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
    U.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
  • The term colitis refers to inflammation of the colon. It may be associated with enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), proctitis (inflammation of the rectum), or both.
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.