06 Anatomy and Physiology of the Large Intestine, Rectum, and Anus

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27 Terms

1
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What is the major function of the large intestine?

Absorption of water and electrolytes to produce semisolid feces (compaction of feces).

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What are two minor functions of the large intestine?

Small amounts of digestion by resident bacteria.

Absorption of small amounts of nutrients and vitamins.

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Where does the large intestine begin?

At the ileocecal valve.

4
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How long is the large intestine and what does it frame?

1.5 meters (4.9 feet) long; frames the small intestine.

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What is the function of the ileocecal valve?

Allows chyme to enter the cecum and prevents reflux of feces into the ileum.

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What is the cecum and where is it located?

A pouch-like region in the right iliac fossa, first region of the large intestine.

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What is the appendix and where is it typically found?

A blind-ended tube attached to the posterior/medial surface of the cecum.

8
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Name the four regions of the colon.

Ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon.

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Where is the hepatic flexure located?

At the bend from ascending to transverse colon, just below the liver.

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Where is the splenic flexure located?

At the bend from transverse to descending colon, near the spleen.

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What is the sigmoid colon?

An S-shaped region that connects the descending colon to the rectum.

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Describe the rectum's position.

A thin, pouch-like region descending along the inferior half of the sacrum.

13
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What are rectal valves?

Internal flaps in the rectum.

14
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What is the length and location of the anal canal?

A 3 cm long tube that passes through pelvic floor muscles to the perineum.

15
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What are the muscles involved in defecation?

Internal anal sphincter (smooth muscle) and external anal sphincter (skeletal muscle).

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What are teniae coli?

Three longitudinal strips of smooth muscle on the cecum and colon.

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What are haustra?

Sacs formed along the large intestine due to teniae coli contractions.

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What are epiploic appendages?

Pouches of visceral peritoneum with fat on the colon’s surface.

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What are intestinal crypts?

Gland-like structures in the mucosa of the large intestine.

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What types of cells line the large intestine?

Simple columnar epithelium with colonocytes and goblet cells.

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What are colonocytes?

Absorptive cells that take in water and nutrients.

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What are goblet cells and what do they secrete?

Mucus-secreting cells; the most abundant cell type in the large intestine.

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What epithelial change occurs in the anal canal?

Transitions from simple columnar to stratified squamous epithelium.

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Where are lymphoid nodules located in the large intestine?

In the lamina propria and submucosa.

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What is notable about the muscularis externa of the large intestine?

Contains teniae coli, a thickened longitudinal smooth muscle layer.

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What is the function of the serosa in the large intestine?

Contains epiploic appendages.

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How is the appendix histologically different from the rest of the large intestine?

Contains more abundant MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue).