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Human Body Study

Large Intestine

The final section of the digestive tract — wider but shorter than the small intestine. Also called the colon.

The digestive tract The GI tract from mouth through oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine, with liver, gallbladder and pancreas as accessory organs. Each label links to the article for that part. Mouth Esophagus Liver Stomach Gallbladder Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine The digestive tract and its accessory organs — schematic, not to scale.

What it includes

Section titled “What it includes”

The cecum (with the appendix), the colon, the rectum, and the anus.

What it does

Section titled “What it does”
  • Absorbs water and salts from the indigestible residue, compacting it into feces.
  • Hosts the gut microbiome, which ferments fiber and produces some vitamins.
  • Stores feces until elimination.

Key idea

Section titled “Key idea”

The large intestine reclaims water and is the main home of the microbiome; little nutrient absorption happens here.