The large intestine is the part of the intestines where water and electrolytes are being absorbed, and the final stool or feces are produced and stored temporarily until defecation.
Description
The large intestine consists of:
- Cecum
- Vermiform appendix
- Ascending colon
- Right flexure
- Transverse colon
- Left flexure
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon
- Rectum
In this article, we will discuss all of the parts of the large intestine except for the rectum and anal canal (which are covered in their own article).
A touch of embryology
Before we go on, it would be of great benefit to learn (or review) the precursors of the different parts of the large intestine and rectum, as structures that develop from a common precursor are supplied, drained, and innervated by the same blood vessels and nerves.
| Origin | Component |
|---|---|
| Midgut | Cecum and appendix Ascending colon Transverse colon (proximal 2/3) |
| Hindgut | Transverse colon (distal 1/3) Descending and sigmoid colon Superior rectum and middle |