Book Review: Comparative Anatomy and Histology: A Mouse and Human Atlas

Abstract

The primary function of the large intestine in both species humans and mice is to dehydrate and store fecal material. Extensive reabsorption of water and salt occurs in the right/proximal colon and continues throughout. Movement of the increasingly solid colonic contents from proximal to distal is supported by abundant mucus-secreting goblet cells that serve to lubricate and protect the colonic mucosa from trauma. Both species have abundant bacterial flora within the colon, which carry out a rumen-like function that is more prominent in mice.