Unit 5 Notes: The Large Intestine

(1) Large Intestine Regions

•Cecum = 1st Chamber

•Ascending Colon = Upwards

• Transverse Colon = Across

•Descending Colon = Downwards

•Rectum & Anus

(2) That Appendix• Sits beneath cecum

• Often collects waste and bacteria Appendicitis

• Functions:

–Produces white blood cells and antibodies for immunity.

–Used to serve a role in cellulose digestion.

(3) Passing Through the Colon…

• Waste slowly moves through Large Intestine.–Total Length = 1.5-2m long

• Water reabsorbed through microvilli.–Result = Solidified waste mass (Feces)

(4) The Rectum & Anus• Rectum = Inside part

• Anus = Outside part = Butthole

• Mechanism:

–Remaining waste drops first into rectum

– Lands on top of Involuntary Sphincter

–Opens w/pressure

– Lands on top of Voluntary Sphincter

–Made of Skeletal Muscle that you control

(5) Diarrhea• Watery fecal waste.

• Initiated when you eat something harmful or irritating.

• Waste is forced through intestines too fast:– Water cannot be absorbed from waste solution.

– Waste exits body extremely liquid-y.

(6) Constipation• Backed up fecal waste in the large intestine.

• Typically the result of:– Overly fatty and dense waste.

– Dehydration and extremely dry, brittle waste.

• Waste becomes unable to easily slide through intestines.

(7) Hernia• When a small portion of the intestine tears through the

abdominal muscle.

• The curl of the intestine shows directly under top layer of skin.

• Usually the result of excessive abdominal contracting and/or force.

• Chunk of intestine must be surgically placed back into abdominal cavity, underneath muscle.

(8) Hemorrhoids • Rupturing of anal cavity blood vessels:– Typically balloon out of the anus.

– However sometimes can impact colon.

• Usually caused by excessive anal force or exertion…– Example: During times of crazy pooping (usually

after constipation…. Yeah… I said “crazy pooping”).

(9) Canker Sore• Open wound or ulcer inside the mouth.

• Result of excessive acid eating away at the oral tissue.

• Can Be Caused By:– Stress

– Excessive bacterial growth (producing more acid)

– Eating too much acidic food

(10) Ulcer• Same as a canker sore, but in the stomach.

• Same causes as with canker sores.

(12) Crohn’s Disease• Autoimmune disease.

• Causes white blood cells to attack intestinal cells.– This causes sensitivity and inflammation of the

intestines.

– Makes it difficult to properly metabolize food, absorb nutrients, water, and excrete waste.

(13) Vomiting• The opposite of diarrhea.

• Caused by eating something irritating or harmful.

• Body prevents full digestion and absorption, ejecting food out of the stomach and mouth.

(14) Heartburn• The feeling of acid burning the esophageal

tissue, around the heart-chest-cavity.

• Due to a loose esophageal sphincter:– Stomach acid is able to easily spit out and up into

the esophagus.

– Can be caused by a structural defect, or eating certain preservatives/spices.