Descending colon
Descending Colon
The Descending Colon (pronounced: deh-SEN-ding KOH-lon) is a significant part of the human digestive system.
Etymology
The term "Descending Colon" is derived from its downward path in the human body. "Descending" comes from the Latin word "descendere", meaning "to go down", and "Colon" is derived from the Greek word "kolon", meaning "large intestine".
Definition
The Descending Colon is the part of the colon that moves waste from the transverse colon downward along the left side of the abdominal cavity to the sigmoid colon. It is a vital part of the large intestine, which is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter, accepting and processing waste material from the small intestine, and eliminating waste from the body.
Function
The primary function of the Descending Colon is to store the remains of digested food that will be emptied into the rectum. It absorbs water, salts, and vitamins produced by enteric bacteria during fermentation.
Related Terms
- Colon: The large intestine, extending from the cecum to the rectum.
- Transverse Colon: The longest and most movable part of the colon, crossing the abdomen from right to left below the stomach.
- Sigmoid Colon: The part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus.
- Rectum: The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.
- Large Intestine: The last part of the digestive system in vertebrates; water is absorbed here and the remaining waste material is stored as feces.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Descending colon
- Wikipedia's article - Descending colon
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