The Large Intestine Flashcards
What is the function of the large intestine?
Absorbs water and electrolytes from intestinal contents changing from liquid to semi-solid in the process
Which structures form the large intestine?
Caecum Appendix Colon Rectum Anal canal
What is the appendix?
Small thin pouch attached to large intestine
What is the mesoappendix?
Portion of the mesentery connecting ileum to appendix
Describe the positioning of the large intestine in the abdominal cavity
Ascending (up right side)
Transverse (horizontally)
Descending (down left side)
What is the Hepatic flexure?
Sharp bend between ascending colon and transverse colon in right upper quadrant
(near liver)
What is the Splenic flexure?
Sharp bend between transverse colon and the descending colon (near spleen)
in upper left quadrant of abdominal cavity
What is the blood supply towards the splenic flexure?
Inferior mesenteric artery supplies the splenic flexure and beyond
What is the transverse mesocolon?
Derivative of dorsal mesentery in the embryo and contains:
- transverse colon (in the free margin)
- middle colic vessels and branches
- lymphatics and lymph nodes
Which structures does the transverse mesocolon cross?
Head of the pancreas and duodenum
Describe the location of the transverse mesocolon
Hangs down from greater curvature of stomach (gastrocolic ligament)
Terminates at splenic flexure
Where does the colon end?
Sigmoid colon terminates at S3 where it merges with the rectum
What are paracolic gutters?
spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall
What is the significance of paracolic gutters?
Allow a passage for infectious fluids from different compartments of the abdomen
What is the pouch of douglas?
Rectovesical pouch is a sac between rectum and urinary bladder in males formed by folding of peritoneum
