Title: The Small and Large Intestines | Biology of Aging
Headings: The Small and Large Intestines
The Small and Large Intestines
The Small Intestine
Structure
Mechanical Digestion in the Small Intestine
Chemical Digestion in the Small Intestine
The Large Intestine
Structure
Subdivisions
Cecum
Colon
Rectum
Anal Canal
Anatomy
Teniae Coli, Haustra, and Epiploic Appendages
Bacterial Flora
Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine
Mechanical Digestion
Chemical Digestion
Absorption, Feces Formation, and Defecation
References

Content: The Large Intestine
The large intestine is the terminal part of the alimentary canal. The primary function of this organ is to finish absorption of nutrients and water, synthesize certain vitamins, form feces, and eliminate feces from the body. Structure
The large intestine runs from the appendix to the anus. It frames the small intestine on three sides. Despite its being about one-half as long as the small intestine, it is called large because it is more than twice the diameter of the small intestine, about 3 inches. Subdivisions
The large intestine is subdivided into four main regions: the cecum, the colon, the rectum, and the anus. The ileocecal valve, located at the opening between the ileum and the large intestine, controls the flow of chyme from the small intestine to the large intestine. Cecum
The first part of the large intestine is the cecum, a sac-like structure that is suspended inferior to the ileocecal valve. It is about 6 cm (2.4 in) long, receives the contents of the ileum, and continues the absorption of water and salts.