MyPathologyReport
November 28, 2023

Crypt distortion is a term used to describe a group of changes involving the size, shape, and number of crypts in the colon. Crypts are specialized glands that cover the inside of the colon. Normal, healthy crypts are long, straight structures that resemble a line of test tubes in a rack. Changes associated with crypt distortion include atrophy (the crypts are shorter than normal), loss (a decrease in the number of crypts), and branching (the crypts split into multiple branches). These changes are considered a sign of long-term damage caused by inflammation in the colon. Pathologists look for this change when making the diagnosis of chronic colitis a condition commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

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This article was written by doctors to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.

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