Organ: Colon

Colon: The main part of the large intestine (bowel) before the rectum
Introduction: As food moves through it, the colon absorbs water while forming waste products, or stool. Muscle contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed. ¹

The colon, which is about 6 feet long, connects the small intestine with the rectum and anus. The major function of the colon is to absorb water and salts from digestive products that enter from the small intestine. Two quarts of liquid matter enter the colon from the small intestine each day. This material may remain there for several days until most of the fluid and salts are absorbed into the body. The stool then passes through the colon by a pattern of movements to the left side of the colon, where it is stored until a bowel movement occurs. ²

Condition count: 16 ; see list below.
Organ types: Digestive system (127)
Related organs: intestine (43), small intestine (7), large intestine (19), bowel (19), bowel (19)
Main condition: Colon conditions
Organs: all organs

Diseases list: The following list of medical conditions have 'Colon' or similar listed as an affected body part in our database: