large intestine

part of alimentary canal

• named for its diameter

• 3-5 ft long

• “colon”

lg intestine

what are the 2 primary functions of the lg intestine

1. absorb water and electrolytes from undigested/ unabsorbed material (adjusts H2O balance)

2. form and store feces

bacterial living in lg intestine

• big influence on metabolism

• nervous/ immune function

microbiome

lg intestine has no digestive function but

some bacterial will digest things

microbiome produces

flatus (flatulent = farting)

bacteria that live in the lg intestine are called

coliforms

the microbiome secretes _ which aids in blood clotting

vitamin K

pouch where sm and lg intestines meet

cecum

hangs off the back of the cecum

• worm shaped

vermiform appendix

inflamed appendix

• pain in lower rt abdomen

appendicitis

goes up rt side of abdomen

ascending colon

runs across abdomen from rt to lf

transverse colon

runs down lf side of abdomen

descending colon

“S” shaped curve in colon

• lower left abdomen

  • diverticulitis and polyps are located here

Sigmoid colon

outward pockets of the colon wall

diverticulitis

inward growths of colon wall

• can become cancerous

polyps

where the large intestine straightens out

• where you form and store feces

rectum

what are the 2 sphincters in the anal canal

1. external anal sphincter

2. internal anal sphincter

this sphincter is made of skeletal muscle (conscious control)

• pooping

external anal sphincter

this sphincter is made of smooth muscle (involuntary- ANS)

• gives you the urge to go

internal anal sphincter

feces is made of (4)

1. undigested/ unabsorbed food

2. mucous

3. water (diarrhea/ constipation)

4. bacteria