The large intestine is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. It starts from the end of the ileum (last part of the small intestine) and ends in the anus. The major parts/regions of the large intestine are the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal, which ends in an opening called the anus.
The colon is further subdivided into several regions namely the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and the sigmoid colon.
The colon and large intestine are not the same. While it is often written on articles on the "Web" as an alternate term for the large intestine, in true context, the colon is a part of the large intestine. In "print writing" especially in anatomy and physiology or medical texts, they should not be used interchangeably.
Related Topic: Large Intestine Structure and Function
Source:
Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.
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Page Last Updated: July 26, 2012
The colon is further subdivided into several regions namely the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and the sigmoid colon.
The colon and large intestine are not the same. While it is often written on articles on the "Web" as an alternate term for the large intestine, in true context, the colon is a part of the large intestine. In "print writing" especially in anatomy and physiology or medical texts, they should not be used interchangeably.
Related Topic: Large Intestine Structure and Function
Source:
Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.
[Top of Page]
Page Last Updated: July 26, 2012
