What is the large intestine?
The large intestine, also called the colon or the large bowel, is the final part of the intestines and in general, of the digestive tract. It extends from the ileocecal valve (or valve Bauhin, the surname of the Swedish doctor who described it in the sixteenth century) to the anus.
The large intestine consists of three segments: the cecum, colon and rectum. The cecum is the first portion of the colon and is involved in the digestion. The colon is a continuation of the small intestine and consists of the parts: ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid. Material passes through these parts and finally into the rectum. The rectum is the last portion of the intestine and the one that leads to the outside through the anal orifice. From the rectum, waste is expelled from the body. The function of the large intestine is to terminate the process through absorption, fermentation, and evacuation of food ingested.
Being extensible with an overall length of about 1.5 meters, the large intestine is arranged to surround the small intestine, which is shorter in length (7 meters), with a higher caliber and a greater fixity. As for the caliber, the large intestine presents a circumference of 28 cm, which gradually reduces to 14 and then increases again to 17 -19 centimeters at the level of the first portion of the rectum (rectal ampoule). The gauge then narrows in the last part of the rectum, the anal canal , which is the part of the rectum that communicates with the outside of the body and allows evacuation of waste material.
Many problems and disorders can affect the colon’s ability to function properly. These may include intestinal gas, diarrhea, or constipation. More severe disorders include colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and colonic polyps. Seeking medical attention is essential in order to verify the cause of the disorder and determine the most appropriate form of treatment. Most treatment options tend to depend greatly on the disorder in question, its severity and an individual’s condition. They may include a well balanced diet and taking certain medications. In more severe cases (such as cancer), surgical removal of the large intestine may be necessary.
What purpose does the large intestine serve?
In general, the function of the large intestine is to carry out the digestion process that begins in the mouth (combined action of mastication and saliva) and proceeds in the stomach (by the action of gastric juice).
The large intestine performs several important functions in digestion. Its main functions include:
- Absorbing water and electrolytes
- Producing antibodies
- Reducing acidity (bicarbonates help neutralize acidity resulting from the formation of fatty acids and other digestive components)
- Protecting the body from infections (mucosal barrier works as a protective barrier)
- Arranging decomposition of foods and their evacuation outside the organism
In addition to concluding the digestive process, the large intestine also absorbs specific substances (such as sodium and chlorine) as well as nutrients (such as vitamin K and Biotin) through the breakdown of local bacteria flora.
