Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology

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Introduction

The large intestine extends from the ileum of the small intestine to the anus. It absorbs water from the ingesta and stores faeces prior to defeacation. Every species has a large microbial population living in the large intestine, which is of particular importance to the hindgut fermenters. For this reason, hindgut fermenters have a more complex large intestine with highly specialised regions for fermentation.

The large intestine can be divided into:

Structure

Function

Vasculature

Innervation

  • Like the small intestine, the large intestine recieves sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation.
  • Neurones interact with the myenteric plexus to affect contractility, and with the submucosal plexus to affect secretions.
    • The sympathetic have coeliac, cranial mesenteric and caudal mesenteric ganglia.
    • As the sympathetic fibres leave the ganglia, they surround their respective artery.
    • Parasympathetic innervation stimulates peristalsis.

Lymphatics

Histology

Species Differences

Links

Pathology of the Small and Large Intestine