Colon

Question 1

what is the colon?

Answer 1

large intestine

Question 2

where is the colon found?

Answer 2

a distal part of the gastrointestinal tract

Question 3

where does the colon extend?

Answer 3

extending from the cecum to the anal canal

Question 4

what does the colon receive and what is it’s function?

Answer 4

It receives digested food from the small intestine, from which it absorbs water and ions to form faeces

Question 5

how can the colon be divided anatomically?

Answer 5

the colon can be divided into four parts – ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid

Question 6

what happens to the 4 sections of the colon?

Answer 6

These sections form an arch, which encircles the small intestine

Question 7

how long is the average length of the colon?

Answer 7

150cm

Question 8

which section does the colon begin with?

Answer 8

The colon begins as the ascending colon,

Question 9

what is the ascending colon? where does it ascend from?

Answer 9

a retroperitoneal structure which ascends superiorly from the cecum.

Question 10

what structure does the ascending colon meet?

Answer 10

right lobe of liver

Question 11

what happens when the ascending colon meets the right lobe of the liver?

Answer 11

When it meets the right lobe of the liver, it turns 90 degrees to move horizontally

Question 12

what is this 90 degrees turn known as?

Answer 12

This turn is known as the right colic flexure (or hepatic flexure)

Question 13

what does the 90 degree turn of the ascending colon mark?

Answer 13

start of the transverse colon

Question 14

what does the transverse colon cross?

Answer 14

the abdomen

Question 15

where does the transverse colon extend from to?

Answer 15

extending from the right colic flexure to the spleen

Question 16

what happens when the transverse colon extends to the spleen?

Answer 16

it turns another 90 degrees to point inferiorly

Question 17

what is the transverse colon turn known as?

Answer 17

the left colic flexure (or splenic flexure)

Question 18

what is the colon attached to when it points inferiorly?

Answer 18

the colon is attached to the diaphragm by the phrenicocolic ligament

Question 19

what is the transverse colon like in terms of position? why?

Answer 19

variable in position

as transverse colon is the least fixed part of the colon

Question 20

what can the transverse colon do in tall, thin individuals?

Answer 20

it can dip into the pelvis in tall, thin individuals

Question 21

how is the transverse colon like?

Answer 21

Unlike the ascending and descending colons, the transverse colon in intraperitoneal

Question 22

what happens for the colon to be termed the descending colon?

Answer 22

After the left colic flexure, the colon moves inferiorly, and so is termed the descending colon

Question 23

what is the descending colon in terms of the peritoneal cavity?

Answer 23

It is retroperitoneal in the majority of individuals

Question 24

where is the descending colon located?

Answer 24

anteriorly to the left kidney, passing over its lateral border

Question 25

what happens when the descending colon begins to turn medially?

Answer 25

it becomes the sigmoid colon

Question 26

how long is the sigmoid colon?

Answer 26

40cm long

Question 27

where is the sigmoid colon located?

Answer 27

in the left lower quadrant of the adbomen

Question 28

where does the sigmoid colon extend?

Answer 28

from left iliac fossa

Question 29

where does the sigmoid colon extend to>

Answer 29

to the level of the S3 vertebra

Question 30

what does the sigmoid colon’s journey give rise to?

Answer 30

characteristic “S” shape

Question 31

what does the sigmoid colon attach to?

Answer 31

the posterior pelvic wall

Question 32

what is the sigmoid colon attached to the posterior pelvic wall by?

Answer 32

by a mesentery

Question 33

what is the attachment of the sigmoid colon to the posterior pelvic wall called?

Answer 33

the sigmoid mesocolon

Question 34

what does the long length of the mesentery permit?

Answer 34

The long length of the mesentery permits sigmoid colon to be particularly mobile

Question 35

what are the paracolic gutters?

Answer 35

two spaces between the ascending/descending colon and the posterolateral abdominal wall

Question 36

why are the paracolic gutters important?

Answer 36

they allow infective material that has been released from abdominal organs to accumulate elsewhere in the abdomen