Colon

Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.

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The large intestine begins at the end of the ileum with the Bauhin valve, winds around the entire small intestine like a frame and ends with the anus (anus). The absorption of water and electrolytes and the conversion of the intestinal contents into stool (faeces) take place in the large intestine. Read everything you need to know about the colon!

What is the large intestine?

The Bauhin valve marks the beginning of the large intestine in the right lower abdomen. It sits at the transition to the last section of the small intestine (ileum) and prevents intestinal contents from being pressed out of the large intestine back into the ileum.

The large intestine first goes up (to the underside of the liver), then runs across to the left side of the trunk, then descends and finally leads to the anus. The entire length of the colon is about one meter.

The course of the large intestine is divided into several sections: the appendix with appendix, the colon (colon) and the rectum or rectum.

Appendix with appendix

The approximately nine centimeters long appendix with its worm-shaped appendage (appendage) is the first section of the large intestine. This is where the small intestine joins. You can read more about this under worm appendix.

Colon (colon)

The cecum is followed by the colon or 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).

Rectum or rectum

This last section of the large intestine is curved in two ways and leads outwards via the anal canal and anus. You can read more about this in the article Rectum.

anus

The feces are excreted through the anus (anus). You can read more about this in the article Anus.

Colon wall

The wall of the large intestine is relatively smooth and not enlarged by folds or villi like the wall of the small intestine. The longitudinal muscle layer in the wall of the large intestine is bundled into continuous strips (taenien), which stabilize the wall and support the peristalsis.

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 consists in the absorption of salt and water, especially in the initial areas (ascending colon):

Here the water content of the leftover food is reduced from around one liter to 100 to 200 milliliters. This means that 80 to 90 percent of the water and almost all of the electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) in the colon are absorbed into the blood. Glands in the intestinal wall secrete mucus, which makes the food residues slippery.

Intestinal flora

Countless microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa and viruses) live in the large intestine and make up the so-called intestinal flora. They process substances that are difficult to digest, such as cellulose, and are essential for regular digestion. The intestinal flora can, however, be severely disturbed by antibiotics, for example, which can lead to digestive disorders.

The peristalsis of the intestinal wall

The muscular wall of the large intestine transports the unusable food residues towards the anus, where they are excreted as feces. In the ascending part of the large intestine (ascending colon) and in the cecum, backward peristalsis is also possible, which enables the stool to be stored in these large intestine sections. Two to three times a day, peristalsis is directed towards the anal in the rectum, the stretching of which then triggers the urge to defecate. Also, some people only have a bowel movement every few days and not every day.

What problems can the colon cause?

Irritable bowel syndrome (Colon irritabile) is the most common disease in a gastroenterological practice, accounting for around 20 percent. Those affected suffer from abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea as well as flatulence, without an organic cause can be found.

Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis) is commonly known as appendicitis. It mainly occurs in children between the ages of ten and 15.

Diverticula are protrusions of the intestinal wall that usually remain symptom-free. But they can also get infected, which is known as diverticulitis.

Polyps are protrusions from the intestinal wall towards the inside of the intestine. They form mainly in the last section of the colon (rectum) and in some cases can be the precursor to colon cancer.

In people with hemorrhoids, the vascular cushion between the rectum and anal sphincters is enlarged or swollen. The cause can be repeated strong pressing when defecating.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn's disease can affect the entire digestive tract, but is particularly common in the last section of the small intestine (ileum or ileum). Ulcerative colitis is limited to the large intestine.

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