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ANA2 > The Colon > Flashcards

The Colon Flashcards

1
Q

What is the colon?

A

The colon (large intestine) is the distal part of the gastrointestinal tract, extending from the cecum to the anal canal

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2
Q

Primary function of the colon

A

It receives digested food from the small intestine, from which it absorbs water and electrolytes to form faeces

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3
Q

Parts of the colon

A

Ascending
Transverse
Descending
Sigmoid.

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4
Q

Average length of the colon

A

150cm

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5
Q

Ascending colon - Intra or retroperitoneal?

A

Retroperitoneal

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6
Q

Direction of the ascending colon

A

Ascends superiorly from the cecum.

When it meets the right lobe of the liver, it turns 90 degrees to move horizontally.

This turn is known as the right colic flexure (or hepatic flexure), and marks the start of the transverse colon.

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7
Q

Another name for right colic flexure

A

Hepatic flexure

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8
Q

What is the hepatic flexure?

A

The point at which the ascending colon meets the right lobe of the liver. It marks the beginning of the transverse colon.

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9
Q

Direction of the transverse colon

A

It extends from the right colic flexure to the spleen, where it turns another 90 degrees to point inferiorly at the left colic (splenic) flexure

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10
Q

What is the Left colic flexure (or splenic flexure)?

A

It is the point at which the transverse colon meets the spleen and turns inferiorly at a 90 degrees angle to become the descending colon

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11
Q

What attaches the transverse colon to the diaphragm?

A

The phrenicocolic ligament.

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12
Q

What is the least fixed part of the colon? Why?

A

The transverse colon

Because it is variable in position, sometimes dipping to the pelvis in tall, thin people

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13
Q

Transverse colon - Retro or intraperitoneal?

A

Intraperitoneal

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14
Q

What encloses the transverse colon?

A

The transverse mesocolon

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15
Q

Direction of the descending colon

A

After the left colic flexure, the colon moves inferiorly towards the pelvis -€“ and is called the descending colon.

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16
Q

Descending colon - Retro or Intraperitoneal?

A

It is retroperitoneal in the majority of individuals

17
Q

Location of the descending colon

A

It is located anteriorly to the left kidney, passing over its lateral border.

18
Q

Length of the sigmoid colon

A

40cm

19
Q

Location of the sigmoid colon

A

It is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, extending from the left iliac fossa to the level of the S3 vertebra.

20
Q

What attaches the sigmoid colon to the posterior pelvic wall?

A

A mesentery -€“ the sigmoid mesocolon

21
Q

Why is the sigmoid mesocolon long?

A

The long length of the mesentery permits this part of the colon to be particularly mobile.

22
Q

What are paracolic gutters?

A

The paracolic gutters are two spaces between the ascending/descending colon and the posterolateral abdominal wall.

23
Q

Why are paracolic gutters clinically relevant?

A

They allow material that has been released from inflamed or infected abdominal organs to accumulate elsewhere in the abdomen.

24
Q

Anatomical features of the colon

A

Omental appendices
Teniae coli
Haustra
Larger diameter

25
Q

Omental appendices

A

Attached to the surface of the large intestine, they are small pouches of peritoneum, filled with fat.

26
Q

Teniae coli

A

Three strips of muscle running longitudinally along the surface of the large bowel They are called the mesocolic, free and omental coli.

27
Q

Haustra

A

The teniae coli contract to shorten the wall of the bowel, producing sacculations known as haustra.

28
Q

Where do the features of the colon cease?

A

They cease at the rectosigmoid junction, where the smooth muscle of the teniae coli broaden to form a complete layer within the rectum.

29
Q

What are the midgut derived structures of the colon?

A

Ascending colon and proximal 2/3 of the transverse colon

30
Q

What are the hindgut derived structures of the colon?

A

Distal 1/3 of the transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon

31
Q

Arterial supply - Ascending Colon

A

Two branches of the superior mesenteric artery; the ileocolic and right colic arteries.

32
Q

Arterial supply - Transverse Colon

A

Branches of the superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery - Right, middle and left colic arteries

33
Q

Arterial supply - Descending Colon

A

Single branch of the inferior mesenteric artery; the left colic artery

34
Q

Arterial supply - Sigmoid Colon

A

Sigmoid arteries (branches of the inferior mesenteric artery).

35
Q

Innervation of midgut structures

A

Superior mesenteric plexus

36
Q

Innervation of hindgut structures

A

inferior mesenteric plexus

37
Q

Rectosigmoid junction

A

The point after the sigmoid colon where taenia spread out and unite to form longitudinal muscle layer

38
Q

Epiploic appendages

A

Deposits of fatty adipose tissue along haustra

39
Q

Difference between left and right colic flexures

A

Left is more mobile, more acute, higher

ANA2 (33 decks)

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