large intestine
Gut's final stretch
The large intestine is the final section of the digestive tract, where water is absorbed and waste is compacted before elimination.
It includes the colon, cecum, and rectum.
Despite the name, it's shorter than the small intestine but wider in diameter—hence "large." Fiber promotes healthy large intestine function.
Large intestine section
- cecumLarge intestine's origin pouch
- appendixSupplementary section after main text
- rectumTerminal intestinal chamber
- sigmoidCurving in two directions
ascending colon · descending colon · anus · mucosa · lumen · serosa · mesentery · anal canal
Process of taking in
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- defecationExpulsion of feces
- bowel movementFecal discharge from body
- electrolyte balanceProper mineral ion ratios
stool · mass movement · compaction · continence · segmentation · motility
Large intestine examination
- polypsFixed aquatic invertebrates
- colorectal cancerMalignancy of the large intestine
- diverticulitisInfected intestinal outpouchings
- colitisInflamed large intestine
ulcerative colitis · Crohn's disease · irritable bowel syndrome · biopsy · endoscopy · gastroenterologist · inflammatory bowel disease · constipation
Intestinal microbial community
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- microbiotaResident microscopic organisms
- bifidobacteriaBeneficial gut microorganisms
lactobacillus · vitamin B12 · gas production · flatus · probiotics · prebiotics · colonization · symbiosis
colon
Large intestine section
- cecumLarge intestine's origin pouch
- appendixSupplementary section after main text
- rectumTerminal intestinal chamber
sigmoid · ascending colon · descending colon · anus · mucosa · lumen · serosa · mesentery · anal canal · peritoneum
absorption
Process of taking in
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- defecationExpulsion of feces
- bowel movementFecal discharge from body
electrolyte balance · stool · mass movement · compaction · continence · segmentation · motility
colonoscopy
Large intestine examination
- polypsFixed aquatic invertebrates
- colorectal cancerMalignancy of the large intestine
- diverticulitisInfected intestinal outpouchings
colitis · ulcerative colitis · Crohn's disease · irritable bowel syndrome · biopsy · endoscopy · gastroenterologist · inflammatory bowel disease · constipation · diarrhea
gut flora
Intestinal microbial community
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- microbiotaResident microscopic organisms
bifidobacteria · lactobacillus · vitamin B12 · gas production · flatus · probiotics · prebiotics · colonization · symbiosis
large intestinesmall intestine
Digestive absorption organ
small bowel · ileum · jejunum · duodenum
large, enlarge, largely, larger, intestines, enlargement, intestine, largeness, intestinal