Large

Intestine.

Large Intestine (pronunciation: /ˈlɑːrdʒ ɪnˈtɛstɪn/) is a part of the digestive system that absorbs water from the matter that has not been digested, and transmits the useless waste material from the body.

Etymology

The term "Large Intestine" comes from the Latin words 'intestinum' meaning 'gut', and 'large' referring to its larger diameter compared to the small intestine.

Structure

The large intestine is made up of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. It is approximately 1.5 meters long, which is shorter than the small intestine, but is wider in diameter.

Cecum

The cecum is a pouch-like structure that is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It receives chyme from the ileum, and connects to the appendix.

Colon

The colon is the largest part of the large intestine and is divided into four sections: the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon.

Rectum and Anal Canal

The rectum and anal canal are the final parts of the large intestine. They are responsible for the temporary storage and expulsion of feces from the body.

Function

The main function of the large intestine is to absorb water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible food matter, and to pass useless waste material from the body. It also synthesizes certain vitamins, such as vitamin K and certain B vitamins.

Related Terms

• Digestive System
• Small Intestine
• Cecum
• Colon
• Rectum
• Anal Canal
• Appendix

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Large
• Wikipedia's article - Large

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