
This is the final stage of the digestive system.
A large function of this stage is the absorption of water from the remaining undigested material.
Absorption occurs for nutrients produced bybacteria found in the colon.
Food is not broken down any further in this stage.
The large intestines consist of the Cecum and Colon
Undigested material enters from the small intestines.
The ileocecal junction is the dividing point of the small and large intestines
The Large intestines on average is 5 feet long.
This is much shorter then the small intestines.
The diameter of the large intestines is much larger then the small intestines – hence the name.
The wall structure is largely different then the small intestines.
Locations of the colon
- Ascending colon
- Transverse colon
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon
