Scribd
Upload
103 views10 pages

Digestive System: Large Intestine

The large intestine consists of three main parts: the cecum, colon, and rectum. It performs several key functions, including reabsorbing water and electrolytes, compacting waste into feces, absorbing vitamins from bacteria, and storing feces until defecation. Specifically, the cecum receives contents from the ileum and begins compaction, the colon further compacts waste into four sections, and the rectum temporarily stores feces until controlled excretion through the anus.

Uploaded by

kmpg88
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
103 views10 pages

Digestive System: Large Intestine

The large intestine consists of three main parts: the cecum, colon, and rectum. It performs several key functions, including reabsorbing water and electrolytes, compacting waste into feces, absorbing vitamins from bacteria, and storing feces until defecation. Specifically, the cecum receives contents from the ileum and begins compaction, the colon further compacts waste into four sections, and the rectum temporarily stores feces until controlled excretion through the anus.

Uploaded by

kmpg88
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Digestive System

Large Intestine

The Large Intestine


begins at the end of the ileum and ends at the anus

The Large Intestine


divided into three parts: [Link] cecum, the first portion of the large intestine, which appears as a pouch [Link] colon, the largest portion of the large intestine [Link] rectum, the last 15 cm (6 in.) of the large intestine and the end of the digestive tract

The Large Intestine


The major functions of the large intestine are [Link] reabsorption of water and electrolytes, and compaction of the intestinal contents into feces [Link] absorption of important vitamins produced by bacterial action [Link] storing of fecal material before defecation

The Large Intestine


The large intestine receives blood from tributaries of the superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric arteries. Venous blood is collected from the large intestine by the superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric veins.

The Cecum
1. Materials arriving from the ileum first enter an expanded pouch called The Cecum. 2. Muscles encircling the opening form the ileocecal valve, which regulates the passage of materials into the large intestine. 3. The cecum, which is intraperitoneal, collects and stores the arriving materials and begins the process of compaction. 4. Hollow appendix is attached to the posteromedial surface of the cecum. The appendix usually is approximately 9 cm (3.5 in.) long, but its size and shape are quite variable. 5. The mesoappendix, connects the appendix to the ileum and cecum. The mucosa and submucosa of the appendix are dominated by lymphoid nodules, and its primary function as an organ of the lymphoid system is comparable to one of the tonsils. Inflammation of the appendix produces the symptoms of appendicitis.

The Colon
The colon has a larger diameter and a thinner wall than the small intestine. Refer to Figure 25.17 as we describe several distinctive features of the colon:
1. The wall of the colon forms a series of pouches, or haustra (HAWS-tra; singular, haustrum), that permit considerable distension and elongation. 2. Three separate longitudinal ribbons of the smooth muscle, the taeniae coli ( ; singular, taenia), are visible on the outer surfaces of the colon just beneath the serosa. 3. The serosa of the colon contains numerous teardrop-shaped sacs of fat, called the

The Colon
The colon is subdivided into four regions:
1. 2. 3. 4. the the the the ascending colon transverse colon descending colon sigmoid colon

The Rectum
The sigmoid colon discharges fecal wastes into the rectum. The rectum is a secondarily retroperitoneal segment that forms the last 15 cm of the digestive tract It is an expandable organ for the temporary storage of fecal material; movement of fecal materials into the rectum triggers the urge to defecate. The last portion of the rectum, the anal canal Veins in the lamina propria and submucosa of the anal canal occasionally become distended, producing hemorrhoids. The internal anal sphincter. The smooth muscle fibers of the internal anal sphincter are not under voluntary control. The external anal sphincter is skeletal muscle fibers, is under voluntary control.

You might also like