Ever wonder how long food takes to leave the body? Well, under good conditions, within 8 to 10 hours, food has passed through the small intestine and is mostly digested when it then enters the final digestive process.
The colon contains 6 sections called: the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid and rectum. Situated at the extreme end of the cecum is the worm-like organ called the appendix. It's about 3 inches long and is often the source of inflammation because of lodged food and bacteria causing painful appendicitis.
The colon, unlike the small bowel, has a mucous lining or membrane which is smooth and contains no villi. Surrounding thus mucous layer is a muscular coating consisting of circular internal muscles and longitudinal external muscles s found in the small bowel. The colon is shaped into bulbous pouches called haustras. Haustras are composed of muscles which contract to gather the colon up into a puckered appearance and which allow for a great deal of expansion.
The colon ends in the rectum and anus, the exterior opening where elimination takes place. The anus is held closed by the anal sphincter muscle.
The lining of the rectum contains mucus and is striated in length-wise segments giving a fluted appearance. Generally the nerve supply to the colon is not prolific and therefore sensory impulses are very weak. Colonic activity is unfelt for the most part, as a result. An exception is found in the rectum where nerve endowment is greater and thus there is the pain associated with hemorrhoids and other tears and fissures.
For more information about the functions of our colon and how to care for it, see: http://www.endconstipation.net
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