PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Ulcerative colitis almost always involves which anatomical area?

1. Small intestine

2. Colon

3. Rectum

4. Ileum

The correct answer is: Colon

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the colon. It is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa, with a distinctive pattern of involvement that typically begins in the rectum and can extend proximally. The key aspect of ulcerative colitis is that it almost always involves the rectum, meaning that the disease can be present in a variety of forms, including proctitis (affecting only the rectum), left-sided colitis, or pancolitis (involving the entire colon). While options like the small intestine, ileum, and even the rectum directly might seem relevant, the hallmark of ulcerative colitis is its consistent presence in the colon. It is important to note that, unlike Crohn's disease, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus and often spares the rectum, ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon. Therefore, recognizing that ulcerative colitis almost always involves the colon underscores its defining characteristics and pathogenic behavior in the clinical context.