The colon and the rectum are part of the large intestine. It is a long, tube-like organ in your abdomen that starts near the right hip, moves up to the ribs on the right side, goes across to the left side by the ribs, then down to the left hip, from where it makes an S-curve down to the anus. This last part of the colon is called the rectum. The entire colon is about 5 feet (150 cm) long!
In the colon, the inner layer of the mucosa absorbs water and nutrients from the food and drinks we have. After this process, the liquid that remains in the colon forms a semi-solid stool. As this continues to move through the colon, more water is absorbed making it completely solid. From here, the stool leaves the colon and enters into the rectum. The rectum stores the stool until defecation.
Diverticulosis is a condition in which small pouches called diverticula form in the walls of your digestive tract. This happens when the inner layer of the intestine pushes the weak spots in the outer layer of the intestine. This pressure makes them bulge forming pouches on the wall of the colon. Diverticulosis is often asymptomatic and picked as an incidental finding during CT scan or colonoscopic evaluation for some other ailments. When one or more of these diverticula get inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Fever, abdominal pain or cramping, bloating is some of its symptoms. Eating more fiber-based foods, drinking plenty of fluids and regular exercise may help in preventing diverticulitis.
Our gastroenterology services treat all kinds of digestive system disorders. Book an appointment now with our GI Specialists and have the best team of doctors treating you!
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