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Ulcerative Colitis

By Barbara Bradley Bolen, Ph.D., About.com

Updated January 19, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: A disease in which there is inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. There is almost always rectal involvement and the disease usually spreads in a continuous manner from the rectum to involve additional portions of the colon. Ulcerative colitis is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease.
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