Inflammatory bowel disease（IBD），with unclear pathogenesis，is a kind of chronic and recurrent intestinal inflammation. Exosomes，widely spread in various biofluids，are the nanosized extracellular vesicles secreted by different types of cells and contain diverse bioactive molecules，transfer to adjacent or distal cells via body circulation and participate in the intracellular and intercellular communication. Studies have found that exosomes influence the occurrence and development of IBD through immune regulation and other ways，but the role of exosomes in IBD should be further elaborated. This article reviewed the research progress of exosomes in the pathogenesis，diagnosis and treatment of IBD，and provides ideas for exploring new diagnosis and treatment methods of IBD.