Review: Anatomy of Colon and Rectum

Here is what we have learned from Anatomy of Colon and Rectum:

• The entire colon is about 5 feet (150 cm) long and is divided into five major segments. The rectum is the last anatomic segment before the anus.
• The right colon consists of the cecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure and the right half of the transverse colon.
• The left colon consists of the left half of the transverse colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, and sigmoid.
• Regional lymph nodes include:
  • Ileocolic lymph nodes
  • Pericolic lymph nodes
  • Presacral lymph nodes
  • Retrocecal lymph nodes
  • Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes
  • Superior rectal lymph nodes
• Major components of bowel wall are:
  • Lumen
  • Mucosa
  • Submucosa
  • Muscularis propria
  • Subserosa
  • Serosa (visceral peritoneum)