Abstract
2.1
The large intestine is the last segment of the gastrointestinal tract subdivided into the colon and the rectum (colorectum). While the mechanical and enzymatic digestion as well as the absorption of nutrients mainly take place in the upper gastrointestinal tract and small intestine, the large intestine is responsible for the following alimentary functions:
• Resorption of water and electrolytes (body fluid homeostasis)
• Utilisation of nutrients resistant to digestive enzymes (intraluminal bacterial fermentation)
• Further segmental propulsion of ingesta (peristalsis)
• Storage and controlled evacuation of faeces (continence and defaecation)
The last two functions are maintained by a complex interaction of the autonomically innervated rectal wall (endodermal origin) and the somatically innervated pelvic floor and external sphincter muscles (ectodermal origin).
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Wedel, T. (2008). Anatomy. In: Herold, A., Lehur, PA., Matzel, K., O'Connell, P. (eds) Coloproctology. European Manual of Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71217-6_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71217-6_2
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