Final answer:
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon and rectum that causes inflammation and ulcers, part of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel diseases, distinguished from Crohn's disease, which can affect any part of the GI tract. The correct option is a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnostic term ulcerative colitis means inflammation of the Colon which is characterized by inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the colon and rectum. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease where the body's immune system attacks the digestive system.
Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and anemia, and they can come and go with periods of remission in between flare-ups. Unlike Crohn's disease, which can affect any part of the GI tract, ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum. Option a) is the correct one.