9.5 Structure and function of the large intestine Flashcards
What is the function of the large intestine (2)
The food in the large intestine is ____?
-> Absorbtion of water
(through osmosis)
–> from indigestable and undigestable food (reabsorbing water that passes through)
-> Absorbtion of vitamins and minerals, specifically vitamins B and vitamins K, and NA+ and Cl-
Digestion is complete, and most nutrients have been absorbed by the jejunum and illeum.
What are the parts of the large intestine (4) (General functions)?
-> Cecum (a blind pouch, that attaches the small intestine to the large intestine) Connected to the upper end of the large intestine and recesives all the process materials from the small intestine.
-> Colon: Longest and part of the large intestine. Split up into 4 parts.
Ascendign colon
Transverse colon
Descending colon
Sigmaid colon
-> Rectum
Holds waste products, until they are eleminated
-> Anus
External opening, where waste is elminated.
What is in the large intestine?
Significance of bacteria?
500+ bacteria lives in the large intestine, which are important partners to nutrients.
An important bacertia is E-coli (Eschericha)
–> They have a symbiotic relationship (muturally benefitual) with the large intestine
-> we provide e-coli with a a sutiable environment, having access to a lot of food
-> they make use have vitamin K and B, which is essential to life
However the issue with this bacteria is that if it begins to move or if they are present in other places of the body.
–> lead to serious/fatal issues
->Infections
–> a lot of pain, because they can reproduce and create worse symptoms.
Egestion: What part of the small intestine is involved with this?
What is egestion?
Rectum (holding) and the anus (exiting), egestion is the elimination of waste.
What is indigestiable food’s significance ot egestion?
What types of food are indigestable?
What are the importance of these foods?
indigestable food help us feel fuller for longer
(reduction in over eating)
and help us retain some water in the large intestine (fiber does this)
Cellulose and fiber are examples of indigestable foods.
By helping us retain some water, it produces a normal outcome of digested waste.
By not absorbing enough water, feces can be come water (diarrhea)
By absorbing too much water, feces can become firmier or you can be constipated.
How do you poop? What muscles are involves? Hwo do you know when u need to poop?
When your rectum has poop inside, the walls of the rectum/large intestine have nerves that can detect the movement of feces.
This movement initated the defecation reflex (pooping) HOWEVER we have some control of it.
2 sphincers are present in the end of rectum, that surround the anus.
Interorir sphincter is the 1st one, made of smooth muscle, therefore is involuntary.
The external sphincter, surrounds the interrior one and is made out of skeletal muscle, therefore allowin you to have some control
Both muscles must be relaxed for defecation to happen.
What is coltis?
What is it caused by ?
What are the risks? What are the treatments?
Swlling/inflammation anywhere in your body, and can happen in the large intestine
Caused by (not confirmed)
-> immune system malfunction, where your own cells attack the digestive track
Risks:
Before 30 and after 60, but can happen at any age
Race that it mostly impcts:
Jewish decent
Treatment
diet changes
-> more fiber
-> leaner meats
-> veggies and fruits
Anti-flammatory meds
Stopping dairy foods of spicy food if you know it causes you pain/symptoms.
Endoscopy? What is it, what can it lead to?
A long narrow tube with a camera and light attached to it at the end.
a medical procedure, that inserts this tube through your mouth, anus, or any openning, to allow you to see whats happening inside you.
–> remote tools can be operated inside of you by being inserted through the tube
Resulting in biopsy (removal of a small piece of tissue for sampling and testing)
Surgery usign an endoscopy
-> less pain
-> shorter recovery
-> cost effective
What are the potientals of a medical future?
Capsule endoscopy, a pill with a cameria and light.
