Diarrheal diseases have almost always been present throughout human history, however, inflammatory bowel disease was only identified as a distinct clinical entity in the 20th century. Historical records suggest that it has affected significant populations as early as the 1600s. Although its long-standing presence has allowed for the answering of many questions, many aspects of it remain unknown to this day.  Kulcsszavak: gyulladásos bélbetegség, Crohn betegség, colitis ulcerosa, történelem, eredet