Ascending colon

Ascending Colon

The Ascending Colon (pronounced: uh-sen-ding koh-lon) is a part of the digestive system that plays a crucial role in the absorption of water and electrolytes from the partially digested food matter that the body receives from the small intestine.

Etymology

The term "Ascending Colon" is derived from the Latin words 'ascendere', meaning 'to climb up', and 'colon', which is the Latin term for the large intestine. The name is descriptive of its location and function in the body, as it 'ascends' or travels upwards from the lower to the upper part of the right side of the abdomen.

Anatomy

The Ascending Colon is the first part of the large intestine and is connected to the small intestine by the ileocecal valve. It begins at the cecum, located at the lower right quadrant of the abdomen, and extends upwards to the transverse colon at the hepatic or right colic flexure.

Function

The primary function of the Ascending Colon is to absorb the remaining water and electrolytes from the indigestible food matter, and to transport the now solid waste to the transverse colon. It also houses beneficial bacteria that aid in the fermentation of unabsorbed material.

Related Terms

• Cecum
• Ileocecal valve
• Transverse colon
• Digestive system
• Large intestine
• Small intestine

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Ascending colon
• Wikipedia's article - Ascending colon

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