Colon Large Intestine Medical Digestive System Low-poly 3D model

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The large bowel, or large intestine, constitutes a significant portion of the digestive system in vertebrates, particularly in humans. It starts at the waistline where it connects with the small intestine's end at the cecum via the ileocecal valve. The large intestine then proceeds as the colon, ascending the abdomen, crossing the abdominal cavity horizontally as the transverse colon and descending to the rectum before ending at the anal canal. Measuring approximately 1.5 metres or five feet in length, which is about one-fifth of the entire gastrointestinal tract, it plays a critical role in water absorption and waste storage for eventual removal through defecation. The colon, being its largest segment, is often used interchangeably with large intestine when specific anatomic detail isn't crucial. It is generally agreed that the large intestine includes the cecum, colon, rectum, but opinions differ on whether or not the anal canal should be included.