Crohn's disease

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Crohn's disease (krohnz) n. a condition in which segments of the alimentary tract become inflamed, thickened, and ulcerated. It usually affects the terminal part of the ileum; its acute form (acute ileitis) sometimes mimics appendicitis. Chronic disease often causes partial obstruction of the intestine, leading to pain, diarrhoea, and malabsorption. Alternative names: regional enteritis, regional ileitis. [ B. B. Crohn (1884–1983), US physician]

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