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Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis

Overview

Ulcerative colitis is categorized according to location:

  • Proctitis involves only the rectum
  • Proctosigmoiditis affects the rectum and sigmoid colon
  • Left-sided colitis encompasses the entire left side of the large intestine
  • Pancolitis inflames the entire colon

Review Date 1/30/2023

Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.