BIOLOGY

CHAPTER 6 : NUTRIENT
6.6 FORMATION OF FAECES

AND DEFAECATION

Formation of Faeces and Defaecation

The large intestine are consist of the caecum, colon and rectum which end at the anus. After absorption of nutrient has taken place in the small intestine, the intestinal contents are now a mixture of water, undigested food substances and indigestible fibre. The undigested food residue passes into caecum of the large intestine by peristalsis and then into the colon.

 In the colon, water is absorbed from the undigested food residue, causing it to become more solid as it passes through the colon. When it reaches the rectum, it has harden into a semi solid material called faeces. This feaces is kept temporary in the rectum. When full, the muscular walls of the rectum contract to force out the faeces through the anus. This process is called defaecation.

Problem Related to Defaecation

Constipation
is caused by the faeces moving too slowly through the colon. So a greater amount of water is reabsorbed making the faeces hard and cause painful defaecation. Constipation can be avoided by drinking a lot of water and the daily diet should contain sufficient amounts fibre.

Colon cancer
prolong constipation results in the accumulation of faeces in the colon. Thus the toxic substances in the faeces are also accumulated in the colon. over a long period, toxic substances can cause cells in the colon to divide out of control and lead to colon cancer.

Haemorrhoids
problems in defaecation over a long period of time can result in the accumulation of faeces at the rectum.
Faeces become hard and dry and exert increasing pressure on the blood vessels on the region of the anus. as a result the blood vessel become swollen at or near the anus

THE END