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The colon is part of the large intestine. Occasionally, some people use the term colon to mean the large intestine. The main functions of the colon are absorbing water and minerals from the digestive waste, before it is expelled from the body. Read on to learn more about the colon, and its role in digestion.

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Colon

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Colon
The Ascending, Transverse and Descending Colon

The Colon consists of four parts, the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. These are also considered to be the second through fifth segments of the large intestine.

The ascending colon is connected to the cecum, the first part of the large intestine. The ascending colon extends upwards from the cecum to the level of the liver, then bends sharply to the left and crosses the abdomen as the transverse colon. It then becomes the descending colon as it heads downward towards the lower abdomen where it becomes the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon connects to the rectum and anus.

The primary function of the colon is to absorb water and minerals from the digestive waste before it reaches the rectum and anus, where it is expelled from the body.

 

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