Sigmoid Colon
The sigmoid colon is the terminal section of the large intestine connecting the descending colon to the rectum. The function of the sigmoid colon is to store fecal wastes until they are ready to be evacuated from the body through the rectum and anal canal. When contracted the diameter of the sigmoid colon is about 1 inch, but it does expand to hold a larger amount of waste which increases the diameter.
read more Salivary Glands PancreasEsophagus LiverGallbladder Ascending Colon
Ileum Rectum AppendixPancreasStomach Transverse ColonDescending Colon Cecum Parotid Gland Sublingual Gland
Submandibular Gland Coronary LigamentCystic Duct DuedonumFalciform Ligament Pons
Gallbladder Hepatic Duct Pancreatic Duct Common Bile Duct Parotid Gland Sublingual GlandSubmandibular Gland
Sigmoid Colon
The internal surface has a smooth mucous membrane lining that secretes mucus and enzymes. The lining’s surface cells can absorb fluids. Although for the most part, these activities occur higher up in the intestinal tract.
There are circular muscles and a sheath of longitudinal muscles in the deeper muscle layer of the sigmoid colon. Both help move waste material within the sigmoid colon, but the longitudinal muscles are what moves the waste out of his section of the colon. There is a circular muscle structure (sphincter) at the place where the sigmoid colon and the rectum keep the feces until it is ready to be passed out of the body.
Strong longitudinal muscle contractions then expel waste material through the sphincter into the rectum. Fecal material can be stored for seven hours or more in the sigmoid colon and is usually expelled when more needs to enter this region of the intestinal tract.
Report Error
