What is the colon?
Bauhin’s valve marks the beginning of the colon in the right lower abdomen. It sits at the junction with the last section of the small intestine (ileum) and prevents intestinal contents from being forced from the colon back into the ileum.
The large intestine first leads upward (to the underside of the liver), then runs transversely to the left side of the trunk, then descends and finally leads to the anus. The total length of the colon is about one meter.
Appendix with vermiform appendage
The appendix, about nine centimeters long, with its vermiform appendage, is the first section of the large intestine. This is where the small intestine enters. Read more about this under appendix.
Grunt intestine (colon)
The appendix is followed by the colon. It is divided into several branches: an ascending branch (ascending colon), a transverse branch (transverse colon), a descending branch (descending colon) and an S-shaped branch (sigmoid colon).
This last section of the colon has a double curvature and leads to the outside via the anal canal and the anus. You can read more about it in the article Rectum.
Anus
The anus is where feces are passed. You can read more about this in the article Anus.
Large intestine wall
What is the function of the large intestine?
In contrast to the small intestine, digestion no longer takes place in the large intestine. Instead, the function of the large intestine is the absorption of salt and water, especially in the initial areas (ascending colon):
In addition, glands in the intestinal wall secrete mucus, which makes the food residues slippery.
Intestinal flora
The peristalsis of the intestinal wall
What problems can the colon cause?
Irritable bowel syndrome (colon irritabile) is the most common condition seen in a gastroenterology practice. It usually begins between the ages of 20 and 30 and affects women more often than men. Those affected suffer from abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, as well as flatulence, without an organic cause being found. The course is usually chronic.
Diverticula are protrusions of the intestinal wall that usually remain asymptomatic. However, they can also become inflamed, which is known as diverticulitis.
Intestinal polyps are protrusions of the intestinal wall into the interior of the intestine. They form mainly in the last section of the large intestine (rectum) and in some cases can be the precursor to colorectal cancer.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease can affect the entire digestive tract, but manifests particularly often in the last section of the small intestine (the ileum). Ulcerative colitis is confined to the large intestine.
