Chapter 14 Part 3 The Digestive System Large
- Slides: 8
Chapter 14 – Part 3 The Digestive System
Large Intestine · Larger in diameter, but shorter than the small intestine · Frames the internal abdomen on 3 sides · About 5 feet long · Extends from the ileocecal valve to the anus
Functions of the Large Intestine · Absorption of water (dry out the indigestible food residue) · Eliminates indigestible food from the body as feces · Does not participate in digestion of food · No villi are present because most absorption has already occurred · Goblet cells produce mucus to act as a lubricant to ease the passage of feces
Subdivisions of the Large Intestine 1. Cecum 2. Appendix 3. Colon 4. Rectum 5. Anal Canal
Structures of the Large Intestine · Cecum – saclike first part of the large intestine
Structures of the Large Intestine · Appendix · Hangs from the cecum · Wormlike structure · Potential trouble spot since it is usually twisted and is an ideal location for bacteria to accumulate and multiply · Appendicitis - Accumulation of lymphatic tissue that sometimes becomes inflamed
Structures of the Large Intestine · Colon – Divided into several distinct regions · Ascending · Transverse · Descending · S-shaped sigmoidal
Structures of the Large Intestine · Rectum · Anus – external body opening · The anal canal has: 1. An external voluntary sphincter (composed of skeletal muscle) 2. An internal involuntary sphincter (formed by smooth muscle)