It runs from the area of your liver (proximal) to the area of your spleen(distal), transverse colon runs from the right side to left side of your upper abdomen.
Full Answer
What does transverse colon do in the digestive system?
The transverse colon’s function is to extract water and nutrients from digested foods or materials that pass through the digestive tract. The transverse colon is the longest section of the colon. Its location is across the abdomen, and it forms a connection between the ascending colon and descending colon.
Where is the transverse colon located in the body?
The rest of the colon is divided into four parts:
- The ascending colon travels up the right side of the abdomen.
- The transverse colon runs across the abdomen.
- The descending colon travels down the left abdomen.
- The sigmoid colon is a short curving of the colon, just before the rectum.
What is the length of the transverse colon?
The transverse colon is usually over 18 inches in length The descending colon, usually less than 12 inches The sigmoid colon, which is S-shaped and measures about 18 inches http://learnhumananatomy.com/large-intestine-2/
Is the transverse colon part of the large intestine?
The transverse colon is the portion of the large intestine that crosses the upper abdomen from right to left. Obviously, it's dawning on you how this section of large intestines got its name. It's the only bit that transverses the abdomen from one side to the other, and thus, became known as the transverse colon.
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What is the distal part of the colon?
The proximal colon is the ascending colon and the transverse colon together. The distal colon is the descending colon and the sigmoid colon together.
What does the transverse colon do?
As the longest and most mobile part of the colon, the transverse colon plays an essential role in digestion and the excretion of waste products. It also helps absorb water from digested food, making it easier for waste products to move through the body.
How common is cancer in transverse colon?
Generally, transverse colon cancer (TCC) is defined as tumors located between hepatic and splenic flexure[2], and is relatively rare, accounting for 10% of all colon cancers[3,4].
Does a colonoscopy go through the transverse colon?
With a straight scope at the hepatic flexure, only about 70–90 cm of instrument has been inserted. When passing the hepatic flexure, the instrument passes from the relatively anterior transverse colon to the posteriorly positioned ascending colon.
Can you live without your transverse colon?
You can live without a large intestine - something that comes as a shock to many people. The large intestine or colon has one primary role, water and electrolyte absorption to concentrate the stool. It plays little role in metabolism and people can live full lives without their large intestine.
Can transverse colon be removed?
A transverse colectomy removes the transverse colon. This surgery may be done to remove a tumour in the middle of the transverse colon when the cancer hasn't spread to any other parts of the colon. Sometimes an extended right hemicolectomy is done instead.
What are the symptoms of transverse colon cancer?
SymptomsA persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool.Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely.Weakness or fatigue.More items...
Which side is worse for colon cancer?
Right-sided cancers are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage and this alone makes for a poorer prognosis,” Dr. Dakwar says. The good news is that screening with colonoscopy can detect polyps and early cancers anywhere in the colon.
What part of the colon does cancer usually start?
Almost all colon cancers start in the lining of the colon and rectum. When doctors talk about colorectal cancer, this is usually what they are talking about. There is no single cause of colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.
How many polyps are normal in a colonoscopy?
If the colonoscopy finds one or two small polyps (5 mm in diameter or smaller), you are considered at relatively low risk.
How long does it take for bowels to return to normal after colonoscopy?
It could take 2 to 3 days before you have a bowel movement after your colonoscopy because you completely emptied your colon and rectum ahead of the procedure.
What percentage of colon polyps are cancerous?
While the majority of colon cancers start as polyps, only 5-10% of all polyps will become cancerous. The size of a polyp typically does make a difference. The larger the polyp becomes, the bigger the risk of it developing into colon cancer.
What causes inflammation of the transverse colon?
Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.
What nutrients are absorbed in the transverse colon?
Transverse Colon Function As fecal matter moves through the transverse colon, water and electrolyte salts such as sodium and potassium are absorbed into the body, to prevent dehydration.
Is your transverse colon above your belly button?
Average location of the superior margin of the transverse colon was 4.6 cm (95% CI 3.5-5.7 cm) above the umbilicus. In nine (13%) women it was below the umbilicus. The colon was below the umbilicus in 25% of nonobese women (BMI <25 kg/m2).
Can you get diverticulitis in the transverse colon?
Diverticulitis of the transverse colon is very rare, with very few cases reported in the literature. Herein, we report a case of transverse colon diverticulitis caused by a calcified stone in a 69-year-old female. This was a solitary diverticulum. The signs and symptoms of the disease are similar to acute pancreatitis.
What is the transverse colon?
Transverse colon. The transverse colon is the lengthy, upper part of the large intestine. Ingested food exits the small intestine and enters the cecum. As digestion continues, the ingested matter moves up the ascending colon and into the transverse colon. During this phase, bacteria further breaks down the food matter in a process called ...
Which artery serves the transverse colon?
Because of its importance, the transverse colon requires a constant supply of oxygenated blood. This comes by way of two arteries. The medial colic artery branches off the superior mesenteric arter y, and it serves most of this part of the large intestine.
Where does ingested food go in the colon?
Ingested food exits the small intestine and enters the cecum. As digestion continues, the ingested matter moves up the ascending colon and into the transverse colon. During this phase, bacteria further breaks down the food matter in a process called fermentation, water and nutrients are removed, and feces form.
Is the transverse colon cancer?
Like other parts of the large intestine, the transverse colon is susceptible to tumors and the onset of colon cancer. These cancers may also be preceded by polyps or other growths, which should be surgically removed when detected. Last medically reviewed on January 21, 2018.
Where is the transverse colon located?
The transverse colon extends from the right colic flexure to the spleen, where it turns another 90 degrees to point inferiorly. This turn is known as the left colic flexure (or splenic flexure). Here, the colon is attached to the diaphragm by the phrenicocolic ligament.
Where is the descending colon located?
It is retroperitoneal in the majority of individuals, but is located anteriorly to the left kidney, passing over its lateral border.
Where does the neurovascular supply to the colon come from?
The neurovascular supply to the colon is closely linked to its embryological origin: Ascending colon and proximal 2/3 of the transverse colon – derived from the midgut. Distal 1/3 of the transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon – derived from the hindgut.
Which part of the colon is attached to the posterior pelvic wall?
The sigmoid colon is attached to the posterior pelvic wall by a mesentery – the sigmoid mesocolon. The long length of the mesentery permits this part of the colon to be particularly mobile.
What are the three strips of muscle that run longitudinally along the surface of the large bowel?
Running longitudinally along the surface of the large bowel are three strips of muscle, known as the teniae coli. They are called the mesocolic, free and omental coli.
What are the paracolic gutters?
The paracolic gutters are two spaces between the ascending/descending colon and the posterolateral abdominal wall.
How many parts does the colon have?
Anatomically, the colon can be divided into four parts – ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid. These sections form an arch, which encircles the small intestine. In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the colon – its anatomical structure and relations, neurovascular supply, and clinical correlations.
Which part of the large intestine is the transverse colon?
The transverse colon is the portion of the large intestine that crosses the upper abdomen from right to left. Obviously, it's dawning on you how this section of large intestines got its name. It's the only bit that transverses the abdomen from one side to the other, and thus, became known as the transverse colon.
What is the inner diameter of a transverse colon?
Structure of the Transverse Colon. The transverse colon is rather like a large tube, the inner diameter of which is about 2.5 inches. However, the tube is not simply an open cylinder, but has band-like structures, which cinch the tube in periodically. The bulges produced by these intestinal bands are known as haustra, or singularly as haustrum.
What are the functions of the transverse colon?
Functions of the transverse colon include: Moving the waste material forward to the rectum using peristalsis and haustral churning. Absorbing water and electrolytes. Synthesizing vitamins, using its own bacteria and components in the waste materials, which it then absorbs.
What is the last part of the digestive system in which components may be absorbed?
In this lesson, we will focus on a very specific bit of that journey, namely the transverse colon, which represents about 18 inches of that 30 foot journey. The large intestines is the last part of the digestive system in which components may be absorbed.
Does the transverse colon absorb vitamin?
The transverse colon does not play a role in vitamin absorption.
Where is the left transverse colon located?
Left upper abdomen.: The left transverse colon would usually lie in the left mid to upper abdomen.
Where is the colon located in the body?
Left upper abdomen: The colon, or large intestine begins in the right lower portion of the abdomen near your hip bone up towards your right upper abdomen. It then runs across your upper abdomen from right to left before ending in the sigmoid colon in your left lower abdomen near your left hip bone. The transverse colon runs from your right to left upper abdomen. The distal transverse s at left upper abdomen.
How much of colorectal cancer is caused by transverse colon cancer?
Carcinoma of the transverse colon accounts for 10% of all colorectal cancer. Diagnosis is often delayed and complicated forms (perforation, fistulization, obstruction) occur in 30-50% of cases. The progression of symptoms is often insidious and tumors may be voluminous by the time of diagnosis. Righ …
What is right sided cancer?
Right sided tumors are typically bulky and late-stage; perforation may lead to abdominal wall or retroperitoneal abscess. Tumor can also extend or fistulize into adjacent organs. Distal transverse cancers may be small annular lesions which are prone to obstruction. Cancers present as T4 lesions in 20-40% of cases.
