Colon Overview
Colon, also known as large intestine forms one of the last portions of our digestive tract (where food is broken down and the essential substances are absorbed into the body). The last part of the digestive process in our body occurs in the colon wherein water and other salts are reabsorbed from the already digested food substances. Colon anatomy is much simpler when compared to other organs of the body. This portion of the digestive tract which extends from the end of the small intestine (small bowel) to the anus is about 5 feet in length. The content that leaves the colon is the final waste matter and is referred to as stools. The colon thereby has three main functions: re-absorption of water and other salts, formation of stool and storage of stool it until it is passed out of the body through the anus.
What do I need to know about colon anatomy?
The colon is one of the vital portions in our body that completes the digestion process. Colon anatomy describes the parts of the colon and their specific functions. Different portions in the colon can be affected during various disorders of the colon wherein knowledge of the colon anatomy helps you to understand about the structure that is affected and how the treatment would alter or improve the functioning of the colon.
How colon develops?
The colon is formed in our body during the first 3 months of development within the mother’s womb. The colon is initially connected to the umbilical cord (portion of the womb that supplies nutrients to the growing baby and removes waste products). By the time of birth the colon would have reached its final location in our body and gets disconnected from the umbilical cord.
What are the parts of colon and where are these located?
The large intestine (colon) is in the shape of an arch (squarish rather than regular arc shape) which surrounds the small intestine. The colon anatomy can be traced from the end of the small intestine to the beginning of the anus. It begins at the right lower end of the pelvic region from where it ascends up till the lower surface of the liver and then bends to the left to pass transversely across the abdomen below the umbilical region and bends down. From here it descends downwards till it reaches the left lower pelvic region where it bends again towards the right and then travels to the midline of the body and bends down to reach the anus.
Accordingly the colon is divided into three major parts:
- the ascending colon,
- transverse colon, and
- the descending colon
Other parts in the colon anatomy are as follows:
- the cecum; the beginning portion of the colon just after the small bowel
- sigmoid colon; the end ‘S’ shaped portion of the colon, just before the rectum
- rectum; last portion of the colon that connects to the anus and stores the stools until it is passed out of the body
Appendix is a part of the colon which is located near the cecum and is the portion
of the colon that does not serve any function.
Some tips about colon
- Colon is frequently affected by numerous infections related to consumption of contaminated food or water that results in diarrhea (loose, watery stools)
- A fibrous diet and drinking plenty of fluids helps better movement and easier passage of the stools through the colon
- Appendix gets infected frequently and results in sharp pain in the right lower abdominal region
- Severe infections and cancers may require removal of certain portions of the colon affecting the normal functioning of the colon
Read more
colon health articles
