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Large Intestine

The large intestine takes care of absorbing any water left in the food that hasn’t been digested yet, and then passing any unused waste from the body. It is one of the final portions of the digestive system.

The large intestine includes the anal canal, rectum, colon and cecum. It begins in the pelvis’ right iliac area. Here it attaches to the smaller intestine’s lower end (called the cecum) and moves higher in the abdomen, crosses over the abdominal cavity, and then curves...

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    Full Large Intestine Description

    [Continued from above] . . . lower to its final destination: the anus. One-fifth of the intestinal canal is taken up by the large intestine. It is about 4.9 feet in length.

    The large intestine doesn’t break down food (since that process of the digestive system has already occurred), but it does absorb important vitamins such as vitamins K and B12, riboflavin, and thiamine. It also helps compact and store feces inside of the rectum, where it will remain until it is sent through the anus.