The large intestine from fetal period to adulthood and its impact on the course of colonoscopy

Wozniak S, Pytrus T, Kobierzycki C, Grabowski K, Paulsen F (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger Elsevier

Book Volume: 224

Pages Range: 17-22

DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2019.02.004

Abstract

The human large intestine in the living adult has a total length of about 1300 mm, ranging from 1100 to 2108 mm. The development of the gut continues after birth, up to the age 4–5. The large intestine ascends at the beginning in the right abdominal quadrant, then it traverses the abdominal cavity, and finally it descends to the anus. The left and right colic flexures are the basic flexions between the transverse, ascending and descending colon, respectively. Additionally, there are secondary bendings between intestinal segments. The angles between the neighbouring parts can vary between examined subjects. Most of the angulations can be found in the transverse (range 2–9) and sigmoid colon (range 1–9), making them the most troublesome parts to pass with a colonoscope. Colonoscopy (usually performed in the left lateral or supine position) is one of the most important examination of the large intestine mucus membrane. During this procedure the endoscope is passed through the colon into the cecum or terminal ilium. The individual anatomical features (tortuosity, supernumerary loops and elongation) may slow down or interfere with the progress of the scope. We summarize current knowledge on the human large intestine from the fetal period to adulthood and carve out some aspects that are currently less known to colonoscopists.

Authors with CRIS profile

Friedrich Paulsen Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie

Involved external institutions

Wrocław Medical University / Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu PL Poland (PL)

How to cite

APA:

Wozniak, S., Pytrus, T., Kobierzycki, C., Grabowski, K., & Paulsen, F. (2019). The large intestine from fetal period to adulthood and its impact on the course of colonoscopy. Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger, 224, 17-22. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2019.02.004

MLA:

Wozniak, Slawomir, et al. "The large intestine from fetal period to adulthood and its impact on the course of colonoscopy." Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger 224 (2019): 17-22.

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