Colon facts for kids
The colon is a very important part of your large intestine. Think of it as a long tube that helps your body finish processing food. It sits between the cecum (where your small intestine ends) and the rectum.
The main job of your colon is to take water out of the food waste that passes through it. This helps form solid waste that your body can get rid of. In humans and other mammals, the colon has four main sections:
- The ascending colon
- The transverse colon
- The descending colon
- The sigmoid colon
Contents
What Does Your Colon Do?
Your body needs to get nutrients from the food you eat. After your stomach and small intestine have absorbed most of the good stuff, what's left is mostly liquid waste. This waste then moves into your large intestine, and that's where the colon steps in.
The colon acts like a recycling plant for water. It pulls water back into your body, which is super important for staying hydrated. Without this process, your body would lose too much water. The colon also helps to form the solid waste that your body needs to get rid of.
The Ascending Colon: Moving Up
The first part of your colon is called the ascending colon. It starts right after the cecum, which is where your small intestine connects to your large intestine. This section travels upwards on the right side of your abdomen (your belly area). It's like a highway going uphill!
The Transverse Colon: Across Your Belly
Next, the waste moves into the transverse colon. This part goes across your body, from the right side to the left. It passes underneath your stomach and pancreas. The transverse colon then connects to the next section, near your spleen. It's like a bridge connecting two sides.
The Descending Colon: Heading Down
After crossing your body, the waste enters the descending colon. This part travels downwards on the left side of your abdomen. It's about 30 centimeters (around 12 inches) long. This section helps move the waste closer to the end of its journey.
The Sigmoid Colon: The S-Bend
The final part of the colon is the sigmoid colon. It's shaped like the letter "S" and is about 40 centimeters (around 16 inches) long. This section connects the descending colon to the rectum. The name "sigmoid" comes from the Greek letter "sigma," which looks like an "S." This S-bend helps store the waste before it leaves your body.
