Colonic motility and physiology

Abstract

Although the colon is not an organ essential for survival, it contributes in a major fashion to physical well-being. It plays an important role in three key homeostatic functions: (1) absorption of water and electrolytes, (2) absorption of nutrients and (3) storage and controlled evacuation of faecal material. Approximately 90% of the whole gut transit time is accounted for by colonic transit time. This prolonged transit is essential in permitting the colon to fulfil these functions. The colon can be divided functionally into two portions, the right and left colon. The right colon (caecum and ascending colon) plays a major role in water and electrolyte absorption and fermentation of undigested sugars, and the left colon (descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum) is predominantly involved in storage and evacuation of stool. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.