Taenia coli

Taenia coli (also known as the longitudinal bands of colon, bands of colon, or myochosis coli) are three separate longitudinal ribbons of smooth muscle on the outside of the ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon in the digestive tract. They are visible, and can be distinguished from the haustra of the colon, which are a series of pouches along the colon wall.

Anatomy

The taenia coli run the length of the colon from the appendix to the rectum. Each taenia is about a fifth of the width of the colon. The bands converge at the root of the vermiform appendix. The bands of muscle are the taenia mesocolica (mesocolic taenia), which is associated with the mesocolon; the taenia libera (free taenia), which is not associated with the mesocolon; and the taenia omentalis (omental taenia), which is associated with the greater omentum.

Function

The taenia coli contract lengthwise to produce the haustra, the bulges in the colon. The contraction of the taeniae coli can cause the colon to shorten in length, a distinctive feature of the large intestine.

Clinical significance

In certain diseases, such as Chagas disease, the taenia coli may become dilated and less distinct. In some cases, they may disappear entirely, leading to a condition known as megacolon.

See also

• Colon (anatomy)
• Haustra
• Appendix (anatomy)
• Rectum

References

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  Taenia coli illustration from Gray's Anatomy
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  Diagram of the large intestine showing taenia coli
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  Diverticula in the sigmoid colon