Large intestine

Of the Large intestine is an organ which is located at the end of the digestive tract and predominates in the small intestine in thickness. In addition, the large intestine has some special anatomical features that distinguish it from other sections of the intestine and make it prone to certain diseases.

What is the colon

Of the Large intestine is a section of a whole system of intestines which is responsible for digesting food and performing a variety of other functions.

The names used in anatomy for the large intestine are, depending on the intestinal segment, ascending or ascending colon, transverse or transverse colon, and descending or descending colon. In addition, the definition of the large intestine also includes the sigmoid intestine or sigmoid colon.

The small intestine merges into the large intestine, which has an average length of about 1.50 m. Due to its idiosyncratic structure, the large intestine is able to almost completely enclose and embed the small intestine. The large intestine is extremely complex and contains various bacterial organisms that belong to the so-called microflora. This plays an important role in the functioning and health of the colon.

Anatomy & structure

Of the Large intestine is divided into several segments. These are specially named. The large intestine has several wall layers and so-called Teania and Haustria. These are needed for the colon to contract.

An increase in the surface structure in the large intestine is achieved through crypts, which ensure the removal of food components. In the large intestine, the mucous membrane structures known as goblet cells and microvili can also be seen. The transport of food through the mucous membrane is possible without causing impairments. No villi are detectable in the large intestine.

The wall, which actually makes up the large intestine, is based on several layers of cells and tissue with a different texture. A certain proportion of nerves leads to typical intestinal peristalsis, which is ensured in the large intestine with different muscle layers.

Functions & tasks

The tasks that the Large intestine has to fulfill, include the further digestion of food through the withdrawal of water and electrolytes (minerals dissolved in water).

In addition, the large intestine performs food thickening, creating feces that contain all non-digestible end products. The colon works with such a fascinating construction that healthy people actually don't even notice it.

The intestinum crassum or the large intestine ensures that not only the digestive activity is completed with the further transport of the stool to the rectum. The large intestine is also important in connection with the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms and therefore plays an important role in the body's own fight against diseases and in the immune system.

The normal, healthy colonization of the large intestine with bacteria is necessary to ensure the decomposition of the food components. In addition, the microorganisms help to stimulate peristalsis, the wave-like muscle-supported movement in the large intestine.

Diseases

The diseases that are in Large intestine can occur, there are complex forms and symptoms, some of which can end with a lethal outcome.

Even the slightest impairment in the large intestine is noticeable in the form of physical discomfort, abdominal pain, colic, flatulence and problems with bowel movements. Another selection, which can develop as a pathological picture in connection with the large intestine, consists of internal injuries and inflammatory reactions.

In the large intestine, diverticulum disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are noteworthy. These colon diseases are mostly chronic. Diarrhea is often acute. Under certain adverse circumstances, people suffer from what is known as irritable bowel syndrome, which affects the large intestine. Appendicitis or appendicitis is also a disease that belongs to the large intestine.

The appendix is ​​an appendage organ of the large intestine. There is also tuberculosis, which can affect the colon. There is a particular health risk when tumors can be detected in the large intestine. Adenomas or colon carcinoma and polyps are more or less known in the large intestine.

The so-called ischemic diseases in the large intestine, which have to do with the blood vessel system, include ischemic bowel diseases such as ischemic colitis or ischemic colon inflammation.

Typical & common diseases

• Diverticulum in the intestine (diverticulosis)
• Intestinal colic
• Appendicitis
• Colon cancer