The large intestine is an organ located at the end of the digestive tract that outweighs the small intestine in thickness. In addition, the large intestine has some special anatomical features that distinguish it from other sections of the intestine and make it susceptible to certain diseases.
What is the large intestine?
Schmatic diagram showing the anatomy of the colon. Click to enlarge. The colon is a section of an entire system of intestines that are responsible for digesting food and taking over a whole host of other functions. In anatomy, familiar names for the colon include colon ascending or ascending colon, colon transversum or transverse colon, and colon descending or descending colon, depending on the section of the intestine. In addition, the colon definition also includes the sigmoid colon or colon sigmoideum. The small intestine merges into the large intestine, which occupies an average length of about 1.50 m. The large intestine is also known as the sigmoid colon. Due to its peculiar structure, the large intestine is able to enclose and embed the small intestine almost completely. The large intestine has an extremely complex structure and contains various bacterial organisms that belong to the so-called microflora. This plays an important role in the functioning and health of the colon.
Anatomy and structure
The colon is divided into several segments. These are specifically named. The colon has several layers of walls and so-called teania and haustria. These are needed for the contraction of the colon. An increase of the surface structure in the colon is realized by crypts, which provide for the extraction of food components. The mucosal structures known as goblet cells and microvili are also evident in the colon. Through the mucosa, food transport is possible without any impairment. No intestinal villi are detectable in the colon. The wall, which actually constitutes the colon, is based on several superimposed layers of cells and tissue with a different texture. Due to a certain amount of nerves, the typical intestinal peristalsis occurs, which is ensured in the colon with different muscle layers.
Functions and tasks
The tasks that the colon has to perform include further digestion of food by removing water and electrolytes (minerals dissolved in water). In addition, the large intestine fulfills the function of food thickening, resulting in feces that contain all the end products that cannot be digested. The large intestine works with such a fascinating construction that healthy people don’t actually notice it. The intestinum crassum or large intestine ensures that not only the digestive activity is completed with the further transport of the stool to the rectum. The colon is also significant in connection with the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms and therefore plays an important role in the body’s fight against disease and in immune defense. The normal, healthy colonization of the colon with bacteria is necessary to ensure the decomposition of food components. In addition, microorganisms help stimulate peristalsis, the wave-like muscle-assisted movement in the colon.
Diseases
The diseases that can occur in the colon are multifaceted in their course and symptoms, some of which can end with a lethal outcome. Even the slightest impairment in the colon is noticeable with physical discomfort, abdominal pain, colic, flatulence and disturbances in bowel movements. Another selection, which can be expressed as a pathological picture in connection with the colon, consists of internal injuries and inflammatory reactions. Worth mentioning in the colon are diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These colon diseases are mostly chronic. Acute conditions often include diarrhea. Under certain unfavorable circumstances, people suffer from a so-called irritable bowel syndrome, which affects the colon. Appendicitis or appendicitis is also a disease that belongs to the large intestine. The appendix is an appendage organ of the large intestine. There is also tuberculosis, which can affect the colon. A particular health risk exists when tumors can be detected in the colon. More or less known in the colon are adenomas or colon carcinoma and polyps.The so-called ischemic diseases of the colon, which are related to the vascular system, include ischemic bowel diseases such as ischemic colitis or ischemic colitis.
Typical and common diseases
- Diverticula in the intestine (diverticulosis).
- Intestinal colic
- Appendicitis
- Colon cancer
