What condition is characterized by thickened, inflexible intestinal walls?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder that results in the thickening and scarring of the intestinal walls. This condition can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract but is most commonly found in the ileum and colon. The inflammation associated with Crohn's disease leads to the development of scar tissue, which causes the intestinal walls to become stiff and less flexible. This thickening can narrow the intestinal passage, leading to various complications such as obstructions, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

The nature of Crohn's disease also means that it can lead to a variety of symptoms depending on the area of the intestine affected, but the hallmark feature of the disease is the structural changes that occur in the intestines over time. In contrast, the other conditions listed, such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and portal hypertension, involve liver conditions or blood flow issues related to liver function rather than directly causing thickening of the intestinal walls. These conditions primarily implicate the liver and do not lead to intestinal wall changes in the same manner as Crohn's disease.