Definition of Cryptitis Cryptitis: A term that is used to
describe one of the abnormalities that is seen under the
microscope when small intestinal or colonic tissue is examined.
The intestinal crypts are tubular structures composed of cells
that protrude from the inner lining of the intestines and into
the walls of the intestines. These crypts contain the cells that
give rise to all the other cells that move out of the crypts and
eventually line the inner lining of the intestines. Inflammation
of the crypts is known as cryptitis. Cryptitis is seen in
inflammatory bowel disease, both Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis,
but it also can be seen in other inflammatory conditions of the
intestines. It is not a disease itself but a histologic
manifestation of several different diseases. Cryptitis also may
refer to inflammation in the anus. Two centimeters from the anal
orifice (anus) the lining tissue of the anus begins to change
into the specialized lining of the colon. This junction is
called the pectinate line. At t