Large Bowel Flashcards
What does the large bowel consist of?
Large bowel consists of the colon, caecum, appendix, rectum and anal canal.
What is the caecum?
The caecum is a blind pouch just distal to the ileocecal valve- larger in herbivores.
What is the appendix?
The appendix is a thin, finger-like extension of the caecum - not physiologically relevant in humans.
what are the principal functions of the large bowel?
the reabsorption of electrolytes & water, and the elimination of undigested food and waste.
What are the four sections to the colon?
Ascending colon, Transverse colon, Descending colon and Sigmoid colon
Where does the ascending colon run from?
The caecum to the hepatic flexure
Where does the transverse colon run from?
The hepatic flexure to the splenic flexure
Where does the descending colon run from?
The splenic flexure to the sigmoid colon
Where does the sigmoid colon run from?
from descending colon to the rectum.
Which band of tissue attaches the transverse colon to the stomach?
Greater omentum
What is the blood supply of the proximal and distal transverse colon?
Proximal - blood from middle colic artery
Distal third - perfused with the inferior mesenteric artery
What is the region between the proximal part and the distal third of the colon sensitive to?
ischemia
What is the appendices epiplociae? and what is their suggestive purpose?
Fatty tags - protective function against intra-abdominal infections
What is the name given to describe the pouched appearance of the muscle coat of the colon?
haustra
What is the taeniae coli?
longitudinal muscle - 3 thick bands which are needed for large intestine motility
What immunological tissues are common in the walls of the distal small intestine and large intestines?
Small intestine - Peyers Patches
Large Intestine - Solitary nodules
How do haustra form?
The taenia cli is shorter than the small intestine which Cause the formation of pouched ovoid segments called haustra
What does the colon reabsorb?
Electrolytes and water
In which part of the colon is more water and electrolytes absorbed?
More in the proximal colon
How does Na and Cl get absorbed?
Through exchange mechanisms and ion channels
How does K+ get reabsorbed?
Moves passively into the lumen
What happens when the large intestine absorbs more than 4.5L of water?
DIarrhoea
What histological feature distinguishes the rectum from the colon?
Transverse rectal folds in its submucosa and absence of taenia coli
Which two muscles surround the anal canal?
The internal sphincter and external sphincters
What type of muscle is the internal anal sphincter?
Circular muscle
What type of muscle is the external anal sphincter?
Striated muscle
What are the mucosal layers of the large bowel, starting with the inner most?
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis
Serosa
What does the serosa harbour?
Blood vessels and nerve endings
What are found in crypts?
Stem cells
Which cells are abundant in the large bowel?
Crypts with stem cells
Goblet cells
Enterocytes
Why does the mucosa appear smooth at gross level?
No vili
What are enterocytes primarily concerned with?
The resorption of salts
What do enterocytes have on their surface?
Short, irregular microvilli