Anatomy of the colon
The colon is one of the major parts of the large intestine, and plays a part in the digestion of food. The digestive system moves digested food from the small intestine where all of its nutrients are absorbed, through the caecum (First section of the large intestine), to the colon. The colon is where water will be absorbed from the digested food, and will turn the digested food into stool. Whilst traveling through the colon harmful materials may also be absorbed. The digested food conitnues to move through the colon into the sigmoid colon, where mucus is secreted and the waste product is pushed through to the rectum.
The colon
Caecum - The first part of the large intestine. Is a small pouch in the right side of the stomach which connects the small intestine to the large intestine. As the digested food approches the end of the small intstine the caecum valve opens and the food enters the pouch.
Ascending Colon - Is the first part of the colon. Ascending means 'going upwards'. It stretches upwards from the caecum towards the liver where the transverse colon starts.
Transverse Colon - 'Transverse' means 'across'. The transverse colon is situated in the right hand side of the stomach and moves across to the left had side of the stomach. It is located between the ascending colon and the descending colon.
Descending Colon - Descending means 'going down'. The descending colon starts at the end of the transverse Colon, and stretches down the left hand side of the stomach, where it meets the Sigmoid Colon.
Sigmoid Colon - Last part of the large intestine. It is an 'S' shape and stetches from the left side of the stomach to the central portion of the pelvis. It is responsible for moving waste towards the rectum. It will secrete mucous to allow the waste material to be emlinmated more easily.
Rectum - Final section of the large intstine. Waste Material (Faeces) will pass into the rectum and will be eliminated out of the body via the anus, by the contraction and relaxation of muscles. The Rectum normally remains empty expect for the stage before and during the elimination of faeces.
Ascending Colon - Is the first part of the colon. Ascending means 'going upwards'. It stretches upwards from the caecum towards the liver where the transverse colon starts.
Transverse Colon - 'Transverse' means 'across'. The transverse colon is situated in the right hand side of the stomach and moves across to the left had side of the stomach. It is located between the ascending colon and the descending colon.
Descending Colon - Descending means 'going down'. The descending colon starts at the end of the transverse Colon, and stretches down the left hand side of the stomach, where it meets the Sigmoid Colon.
Sigmoid Colon - Last part of the large intestine. It is an 'S' shape and stetches from the left side of the stomach to the central portion of the pelvis. It is responsible for moving waste towards the rectum. It will secrete mucous to allow the waste material to be emlinmated more easily.
Rectum - Final section of the large intstine. Waste Material (Faeces) will pass into the rectum and will be eliminated out of the body via the anus, by the contraction and relaxation of muscles. The Rectum normally remains empty expect for the stage before and during the elimination of faeces.
