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Large Intestine
Extends from ileocecal valve to anus Regions
Cecum Appendix Colon
Ascending Transverse Descending
Also called large bowel Is about 1.5 meters long and 7.5 cm wide 3 Parts of the Large Intestine:
1. Cecum: the pouchlike first portion -Stores materials and begins compaction 2. Colon: the largest portion, Has a larger diameter and thinner wall than small intestine The wall of the colon: forms a series of pouches (haustra) which permit expansion and elongation of colon 3. Rectum: the last 15 cm of digestive tract
Large Intestine
The large intestine is wider than the small intestine and begins beyond the ileocecal sphincter and ends at the anus. The large intestine consists of the cecum; the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon; the rectum; and the anal canal.
The longitudinal layer of smooth muscle is arranged in three discrete strips called teniae coli. Contractions of this discontinuous muscle layer cause the wall of the large intestine to form bulges known as haustra.
colon is lined with transporting epithelial cells called colonocytes, which absorb fluid and transport electrolytes but do not express digestive enzymes.
Large Intestine
Histology
No villi No permanent circular folds Smooth muscle
Taeniae coli Haustra
Microscopic Anatomy
Mucosa of large intestine = simple columnar epithelium except anal canal = nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium No circular folds No villi
Figure 2424
Colonic Phase
Function
Final reabsorption of water and ions (proximal colon)
2 L enters 200 ml leaves
The main functions of the large intestine are completion of fluid absorption and the storage and elimination of fecal waste.
Absorption of vitamins produced by bacteriaorganic molecules Important as cofactors or coenzymes in metabolism Normal bacteria in colon make 3 vitamins that supplement diet Absorption of organic wastes
2. Biotin:
3. Pantothenic acid:
Organic Wastes
Bacteria convert bilirubin to urobilinogens and stercobilinogens:
urobilinogens absorbed into bloodstream are excreted in urine urobilinogens and stercobilinogens in colon convert to urobilins and stercobilins by exposure to oxygen
hydrogen sulfide:
gas that produces rotten egg odor
Flatus 500 ml / day = gas N, CO2, H, methane, H2S, two amines indole & skatole
Movement from cecum to transverse colon is very slow: allowing hours for water absorption Peristaltic waves move material along length of colon Segmentation movements (haustral churning) mix contents of adjacent haustra
Elimination of Feces
Requires relaxation of internal and external anal sphincters Reflexes open internal sphincter, close external sphincter Opening external sphincter requires conscious effort
Defecation
Stretching of rectum stimulates defecation reflexes Intrinsic defecation reflex stretch signals Transmit impulses to spinal cord Spinal reflex causes contraction of rectum and relaxation of internal anal sphincter Relaxation of external anal sphincter is under voluntary control & can be suppressed With relaxation of the external anal sphincter, fecal material can pass to the outside
Control
Parasympathetic Voluntary
Defecation
Peristalsis pushes feces into rectum Rectal walls stretch
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DIARRHEA
is defined as an increase in stool fluid volume of more than 200 mL within 24 hours In general terms, diarrhea may result from the delivery of more fluid to the colon than the colon can absorb, or it may result if feces move too rapidly through the colon to allow the colon to adequately absorb fluid. The general causes of diarrhea are: