The large intestine
Colon · colon
The wide final part of the gut that absorbs water and turns waste into stool.
What it does
The colon frames the small intestine like a question mark, rising on the right, crossing the upper abdomen and descending on the left to the rectum. It absorbs water and salts from what is left of digested food and is home to trillions of bacteria that ferment fibre.
Surprising fact
The bacteria in your colon are roughly as numerous as the cells in your body, and they produce some vitamins and short-chain fats your body uses.
Why it matters
Eating plenty of fibre feeds these bacteria and keeps the colon healthy. Bowel cancer screening can find problems early, when they are easiest to treat.
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Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.