Large Intestines Flashcards
What cells line the large intestine?
Columnar epithelium
Function of the large intestines
- proximally removes water from indigestible gut contents > turns chyme into a semi solid
- distally acts as temporary storage until defaecation
- production of vitamins
- microbiome for commensals bacteria
Describe the large intestines in relation to the peritoneum
- ascending + descending colon are retroperitoneal
- transverse colon has its own mesentery > transverse mesocolon
- sigmoid colon has its own mesentery
- upper 1/3 of rectum: intraperitoneal
- middle 1/3 of rectum: recto peritoneal
- lower 1/3 of rectum: no peritoneum
Arterial blood supply to the caecum
Ileo-colic artery form SMA
Arterial blood supply to the ascending colon
Right colic artery from SMA
Arterial blood supply to transverse colon
Middle colic artery from SMA
Arterial blood supply to descending colon
Left colic artery
Arterial blood supply to upper 1/3 of rectum
Superior rectal artery
What makes up the large intestine?
Caecum to anal canal
What is the venous drainage of the midgut?
Superior mesenteric vein
What is the venous drainage of the hindgut?
Inferior mesenteric vein
What is the venous drainage of the rectum?
- upper 1/3 into superior rectal vein
- middle + lower 1/3s into systemic venous system
Describe the process of water absorption in the colon
- facilitated by ENaC which are induced by aldosterone
- mainly in proximal colon
- tighter tight junctions > allows for bigger gradient to form + less back diffusion of ions
How many parts of the colon are there?
Name them
5 parts
Caecum
Ascending colon
Transverse colon
Descending colon
Sigmoid colon
What are the paracolic gutters?
The paracolic gutters lie lateral to the ascending + descending colons
Between them and the abdominal wall on either side