large intestine Flashcards
Q: How does the diameter of the large intestine compare to the small intestine?
A: The large intestine is much larger in diameter than the small intestine.
Q: What is the length of the large intestine?
A: The large intestine is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long.
Q: From where does the large intestine extend?
A: The large intestine extends from the ileocecal valve to the anus.
Q: What are the major functions of the large intestine?
A: The major functions of the large intestine are to absorb water from indigestible food residue and eliminate the residue as feces.
it absorbs water and minerals, helps with vitamin production, and eliminates waste as feces.
Q: How does the large intestine relate to the small intestine in the abdominal cavity?
A: The large intestine frames the small intestine on three sides.
Q: What are the subdivisions of the large intestine?
A: The subdivisions of the large intestine are the cecum, appendix, colon, rectum, and anal canal.
Q: What is the first part of the large intestine?
A: The first part of the large intestine is the saclike cecum.
: What hangs from the cecum, and what is its shape?
The wormlike appendix hangs from the cecum.
Why is the appendix considered a potential trouble spot in the body?
The appendix can easily become obstructed, making it an ideal location for bacteria to accumulate and multiply.
What condition results from inflammation of the appendix?
: Inflammation of the appendix is known as appendicitis.
What are the distinct regions of the colon?
: The distinct regions of the colon are the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon
Where does the ascending colon travel in the abdominal cavity?
The ascending colon travels up the right side of the abdominal cavity.
Q: What is the name of the turn where the ascending colon changes direction?
A: The turn is called the right colic (or hepatic) flexure.
Q: What does the transverse colon do after it turns at the right colic flexure?
A: After the right colic flexure, the transverse colon travels across the abdominal cavity.
What is the name of the turn where the transverse colon changes direction?
A: The turn is called the left colic (or splenic) flexure.
Where does the descending colon travel?
The descending colon travels down the left side of the abdominal cavity and into the pelvis.
What is the name of the S-shaped part of the colon?
The S-shaped part of the colon is called the sigmoid colon.
What structures lie in the pelvis after the sigmoid colon?
: The sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal lie in the pelvis.
Where does the anal canal end?
The anal canal ends at the anus, which opens to the exterior.
What are the two valves in the anal canal?
The two valves in the anal canal are the external anal sphincter and the internal anal sphincter.
What is the external anal sphincter made of, and is it voluntary or involuntary?
The external anal sphincter is composed of skeletal muscle and is voluntary.
What is the internal anal sphincter made of, and is it voluntary or involuntary?
The internal anal sphincter is formed by smooth muscle and is involuntary
What is the function of the anal sphincters?
The anal sphincters act like purse strings to open and close the anus, remaining closed except during defecation.
When do the anal sphincters open?
The anal sphincters open during defecation when feces are eliminated from the body.
Q: Are there villi present in the large intestine?
: No, there are no villi present in the large intestine.
What type of cells are abundant in the mucosa of the large intestine?
The mucosa of the large intestine contains a tremendous number of goblet cells.
What is the function of the goblet cells in the large intestine?
The goblet cells produce alkaline (bicarbonate-rich) mucus.
What is the role of the mucus produced by the goblet cells in the large intestine?
: The mucus lubricates the passage of feces to the end of the digestive tract.
Why do the teniae coli cause the large intestine to form haustra?
The muscle bands of the teniae coli are usually partially contracted, which causes the pucker-like formation of haustra.
