cecum
Colon's blind start
The cecum is a pouch-like structure at the junction of the small and large intestines, forming the beginning of the colon.
The appendix attaches to it.
In herbivores, the cecum is enlarged and aids in digesting plant material; in humans, it serves a minor role in gut bacteria housing.
Also spelled caecum.
Microbial sugar conversion
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- chymePartially digested stomach contents
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- microbiomeBody's microbial community
volatile fatty acids · hindgut · plant material · nutrient absorption
Supplementary section after main text
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- colonLarge intestine section
- ascending colonBowel segment rising rightward
- large intestineLower digestive tract portion
abdominal cavity · mesentery · peritoneum · mucosa · serosa · viscera · lumen · endoscopy
Organism fermenting in posterior tract
- herbivorePlant-only consumer
- rabbitLong-eared lagomorph
- horseDomesticated riding animal
- rodentGnawing mammal order
koala · ruminant · foregut · lagomorph · guinea pig · capybara · vestigial · carnivore
Inflamed vestigial gut pouch
- diverticulitisInfected intestinal outpouchings
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- barium enemaRectal contrast for imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
Crohn's disease · ulcerative colitis · inflammatory bowel disease
fermentation
Microbial sugar conversion
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- chymePartially digested stomach contents
- absorptionProcess of taking in
microbiome · volatile fatty acids · hindgut · plant material · nutrient absorption
appendix
Supplementary section after main text
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- colonLarge intestine section
- ascending colonBowel segment rising rightward
large intestine · abdominal cavity · mesentery · peritoneum · mucosa · serosa · viscera · lumen · endoscopy · colonoscopy
hindgut fermenter
Organism fermenting in posterior tract
rodent · koala · ruminant · foregut · lagomorph · guinea pig · capybara · vestigial · carnivore · omnivore
appendicitis
Inflamed vestigial gut pouch
- diverticulitisInfected intestinal outpouchings
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- barium enemaRectal contrast for imaging
CT scan · Crohn's disease · ulcerative colitis · inflammatory bowel disease
- anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
- digestionstomach acid, swallowing, digesting, chewing, digestion
- gutintestine, small intestine, large intestine, colon, bowel
- mammal anatomyskeleton, skull, muscles, teeth, ears
- body passagesmouth, nose, ear, nostril, anus
- innardsviscera, entrails, innards, insides, guts