Which description best characterizes Crohn's disease?

• A. Transmural inflammation with skip lesions; can affect any part of GI tract.
• B. Continuous mucosal inflammation of the colon starting at the rectum.
• C. Chronic inflammation limited to stomach.
• D. Autoimmune reaction to gluten.

Answer: (A)

Crohn's disease is characterized by transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the GI tract, from mouth to anus, and it often features skip lesions—patches of diseased tissue interspersed with healthy tissue. Because the inflammation goes through the full thickness of the bowel wall, this pattern explains why Crohn's can cause fistulas, strictures, and deep ulcers, and why it can appear in different segments at different times. This contrasts with ulcerative colitis, where the inflammation is limited to the colon, is continuous (not patchy), and starts at the rectum, affecting only the mucosa and submucosa. It’s not confined to the stomach, and it’s not an autoimmune response to gluten, which describes celiac disease.