ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

The colon is made up of 6 parts all working collectively for a single purpose. Their

purpose is ridding the body of toxins that have entered the body from food sources,

environmental poisons, or toxins produced within the body. The colons role is to transfer

nutrients into the bloodstream through the absorbent walls of the large intestine while

pushing waste out of the body. In this process, digestive enzymes are released, water is

absorbed by the stool, and a host of muscle groups and beneficial microorganisms work

to maintain the digestive system.

Overview of the Colons Anatomy

The colon is approximately 4.5 feet long, 2.5 inches wide, and is a muscular tube

composed of lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, connective tissue, and specialized muscles

for carrying out the tasks of water absorption and waste removal. The tough outer

covering of the colon protects the inner layer of the colon with circular muscles for

propelling waste out of the body in an action called peristalsis. Under the outer muscular

layer is a sub-mucous coat containing the lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, and connective

tissue. The innermost lining is highly moist and sensitive, and contains the villi- or tiny

structures providing blood to the colon.

The colon is actually just another name for the large intestine. The shorter of the

two intestinal groups, the large intestine, consists of parts with various responsibilities.

The names of these parts are: the transverse colon, ascending colon, appendix,

descending colon, sigmoid colon, and the rectum and anus.

Parts of the Colon:

Transverse, Ascending, and Descending Colons

The transverse, ascending, and descending colons are named for their physical

locations within the digestive tract, and corresponding to the direction food takes as it

encounters those sections. Within these parts of the colon, contractions from smooth

muscle groups work food material back and forth to move waste through the colon and

eventually, out of the body. The intestinal walls secrete alkaline mucus for lubricating the

colon walls to ensure continued movement of the waste.

 The ascending colon travels up along the right side of the body. Due to waste being

forced upwards, the muscular contractions working against gravity are essential to keep

the system running smoothly. The next section of the colon is termed the transverse colon

due to it running across the body horizontally. Then, the descending colon turns

downward and becomes the sigmoid colon, followed by the rectum and anus.

Ileocecal and Cecum Valves

The ileocecal valve is located where the small and large intestines meet. This valve

is an opening between the small intestine and large intestine allowing contents to be

transferred to the colon. The cecum follows this valve and is an opening to the large

intestine.

The Rectum and the Anus

The rectum is essentially a storage place for waste and is the final stop before elimination

occurs. The "tone" of the muscles of the anal sphincter and a persons ability to control

this skeletal-muscular system are vital for regulating bowel movement urges. When

elastic receptors within the rectum are stimulated, these nerves signal that defecation

needs to occur. In other words, these muscle and nerve groups convey when a bowel

movement is necessary but allow a person to control when waste will actually be

removed, as the final step in the digestive process. The anus is the last portion of the

colon, and is a specialized opening bound with elastic membranes, sensitive tissues, and

muscles and nerves allowing it to stretch for removing bowel movements of varying sizes.

If, for example, you suffer from constipation, these tissues can become damaged and
lose their ability to function normally if waste has to be forced out or remains in the body

for prolonged periods. So its definitely good practice to keep things moving along at a

regular pace. Ideally, you should have two bowel movements per day but at least once a

day is pretty good; anything less than that could spell trouble for not only your digestive

health but general health as well.

Physiology of the Colon

To summarize, approximately 500 ml (milliliters) of food pass through the colon

daily. The various sections of the digestive tract absorb and remove water, propel waste

throughout the long system of muscular tubes, work to keep the body alkalized, and

accommodate the colonization of billions of beneficial microorganisms to aid us in

breaking down waste matter. Regardless of the depth of your knowledge regarding the

colons functions, please realize the importance of its functions for promoting overall

health. Be good to your body on the inside as well as out by following a healthful diet,

drinking ample of water, and keeping all your biological systems well maintained with

stimulating exercise and by getting plenty of rest.

The Colon and Rectum

The colon and rectum perform vital functions in the last phases of digestion.

Digestion first begins in the mouth where food is chewed into smaller pieces and

swallowed. The food travels down the esophagus to the stomach where it is further broken

down by gastric juices and sent to the small intestine. The small intestine continues to

break down the contents in addition to absorbing most of the nutrients, including

carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins. Once the contents have passed through the small
intestine, the material has become mostly liquid and is moved into the colon, which

measures about 5 feet long. The main function of the colon is to absorb water and

dehydrate the leftover material, forming semi-solid matter, or stool. The colon moves the

stool into the approximately 6-inch long rectum, which acts as a holding chamber, until it

is ready to be expelled through the anus.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY