ASCENDING COLON Meaning and
Definition
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The ascending colon is a segment of the large intestine, specifically a part of the colon that begins at the cecum, or the initial segment of the large intestine, and stretches upwards towards the transverse colon. It is the first main section of the colon and is located on the right side of the abdomen.
Anatomically, the ascending colon is approximately five inches in length and extends from the cecum to the hepatic flexure, where it makes a turning point and becomes the transverse colon. It is responsible for transporting fecal matter, or waste material, from the cecum up towards the transverse colon through peristaltic contractions, which are rhythmic movements of the intestinal muscles.
The ascending colon serves an important role in the digestion and elimination process. It absorbs water and electrolytes from the waste material, helping to solidify it into stool. Additionally, it plays a part in the reabsorption of important nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin K and some B vitamins, produced by the beneficial bacteria residing in the colon.
Pathological conditions that may affect the ascending colon include diverticulitis, which is inflammation of small pouches that develop in the colon wall, and colorectal cancer. Symptoms associated with problems affecting the ascending colon may include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, bloating, and rectal bleeding. Diagnosis and treatment of such conditions are typically done by medical professionals, such as gastroenterologists, using various imaging techniques, such as colonoscopy, and may involve surgical interventions, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy depending on the severity and stage of the condition.
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The first part of the colon in the right side of the abdomen.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ASCENDING COLON
- zscending colon
- sscending colon
- wscending colon
- qscending colon
- aacending colon
- azcending colon
- axcending colon
- adcending colon
- aecending colon
- awcending colon
- asxending colon
- asvending colon
- asfending colon
- asdending colon
- ascwnding colon
- ascsnding colon
- ascdnding colon
- ascrnding colon
- asc4nding colon
Etymology of ASCENDING COLON
The word ascending comes from the Latin word ascendere, which means to climb or to rise. It is derived from the combination of ad- meaning to and scandere meaning to climb.
The term colon originates from the Greek word kolon, which means large intestine. This Greek word was then borrowed into Latin as colon.
Therefore, the etymology of ascending colon can be broken down as follows: ascending from Latin ascendere meaning to climb and colon from Greek and Latin roots meaning large intestine.
Similar spelling words for ASCENDING COLON
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