 |
| Large Intestine |
 |
| Small intestine enlarges slightly to form a tubular large intestine which is 5cm wide and 2m long. It has three portions- |
| |
| Caecum |
| |
| It is a portion of the large intestine that is not very well developed in man. It is more developed in cattle and other ruminants to accommodate the bacteria that digest the cellulose. In man, it shows a small projection called the appendix. The infection of appendix is called appendicitis. It is a vestigeal organ without any function and can be removed if it is infected. |
| |
| Colon |
| |
| It is has four portions ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and pelvic colon. |
| |
| Rectum |
| |
| It is a bag-like structure, which ends in an opening called the anus. The rectum stores the undigested food as faecal matter till it can be passed out. |
| |
| The anus is guarded by external and internal sphincter muscles. The external sphincter is made up of voluntary striated muscle whereas the internal sphincter is made up of involuntary smooth muscles. |
| |