
The colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle, found below the stomach. It is part of the large intestine, which also includes the cecum, rectum and anus. The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that break down food into waste matter. The colon moves this waste into the rectum, which is a shorter tube connected to the colon. The rectum has a thick muscular layer and is about 15cm long. The nerves and muscles in the rectum help to hold on to the waste matter until it is passed through the anus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the colon have muscles? | Yes |
| What is the colon? | A U-shaped tube found below the stomach |
| What is the colon made of? | Muscle |
| How long is the colon? | About 2 metres (6.5 feet) long |
| What is the lining of the colon made of? | Different layers of tissue |
| What is the inner layer of the colon made of? | 2 layers called the mucosa (inner lining) and the submucosa |
| What is the submucosa made of? | Glands, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves |
| What is the middle layer of the colon made of? | A thick layer of muscle |
| What is the outer layer of the colon made of? | The serosa |
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What You'll Learn

The colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle
The colon has several layers. The inner layer is called the mucosa, and it is made up of epithelial cells. The next layer is the submucosa, which contains mucous glands, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. The third layer is a thick layer of muscle called the muscularis propria. It has an inner ring of circular muscle fibres and an outer ring of long muscle fibres that surround the wall of the colon. The outer layer is called the serosa.
The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that break down food into waste matter. The colon moves the waste into the rectum, which is a shorter tube connected to the colon. The nerves and muscles in the rectum help to hold on to the waste matter until it is passed through the anus. The anus contains a ring of muscle called the sphincter, which helps to control when you empty your bowels.
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The colon has an inner ring of circular muscle fibres
The colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle, found below the stomach. It is part of the large intestine, which also includes the cecum, rectum and anus. The colon is divided into four parts and is held in the abdomen by folds of tissue called mesenteries.
The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that break down food into waste matter. The colon moves the waste into the back passage (rectum). The nerves and muscles in the rectum help to hold on to the waste matter until it is passed through the anus. The anus contains a ring of muscle called the sphincter, which helps to control when you empty your bowels.
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The colon has an outer ring of long muscle fibres
The colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle, found below the stomach. It is part of the large intestine, which also includes the rectum and anus. The colon is divided into four parts and is surrounded by other organs, including the spleen, liver, pancreas, bladder and reproductive organs.
The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that break down food into waste matter. The colon moves this waste into the back passage (rectum). The nerves and muscles in the rectum help to hold on to the waste matter until it is passed through the anus. The anus contains a ring of muscle called the sphincter, which helps to control when you empty your bowels.
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The colon is surrounded by other organs including the liver and pancreas
The colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle, found below the stomach. It is part of the large intestine, which also includes the rectum, cecum and anus. The colon and rectum are surrounded by other organs, including the liver and pancreas, as well as the spleen, bladder and reproductive organs. The colon and rectum are held in the abdomen by folds of tissue called mesenteries.
The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that break down food into waste matter. The colon moves the waste into the back passage (rectum). The nerves and muscles in the rectum help to hold on to the waste matter until it is passed through the anus. The anus contains a ring of muscle called the sphincter, which helps to control when you empty your bowels.
The inner lining of the colon and rectum is called the mucosa. The submucosa is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds the mucosa. It contains mucous glands, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. The muscularis propria lies outside the submucosa. It is a thick layer of muscle with an inner ring of circular muscle fibres and an outer ring of long muscle fibres that surround the wall of the colon and rectum. The serosa is the outer layer of the colon.
The pancreas sits behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The gallbladder, liver and spleen surround the pancreas. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the body, tucked beside the curve of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The tail of the pancreas extends to the left side of the body, near the spleen.
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The colon is divided into four parts
The colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle, found below the stomach. It is part of the large intestine, which also includes the cecum, rectum and anus. The colon is divided into four parts.
The colon and rectum are surrounded by other organs, including the spleen, liver, pancreas, bladder and reproductive organs. They are held in the abdomen by folds of tissue called mesenteries. The colon is about 15cm (6 inches) long, and the rectum is shorter. Together, they are about 2 metres (6.5 feet) long.
The lining of the colon is made up of different layers of tissue. The inner layer is made up of the mucosa (inner lining) and the submucosa, which contains glands, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. The muscularis propria lies outside the submucosa. It is a thick layer of muscle with an inner ring of circular muscle fibres and an outer ring of long muscle fibres that surround the wall of the colon and rectum. The serosa is the outer layer of the colon.
The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that break down food into waste matter. The colon moves the waste into the rectum, which continues from the sigmoid colon to the anal canal. The nerves and muscles in the rectum help to hold on to the waste matter until it is passed through the anus. The anus contains a ring of muscle called the sphincter, which helps to control when you empty your bowels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the colon is a U-shaped tube made of muscle. It has an inner ring of circular muscle fibres and an outer ring of long muscle fibres.
The colon absorbs water and contains bacteria that breaks down food into waste matter.
The lining of the colon is made up of different layers of tissue. The inner layer is made up of the mucosa (inner lining) and the submucosa. The middle is a thick layer of muscle and the outer layer is called the serosa.





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