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The colon begins at the ileocecal valve and ends at the rectum, spanning 140 cm (5 feet) in length. The colon has both intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal components. The cecum and ascending and descending colon are retroperitoneal, whereas the transverse colon and sigmoid are intraperitoneal (Figure 32–1). The diameter of the lumen is greatest at the cecum (approximately 7 cm) and decreases distally. As a result, mass lesions of the cecum are least likely to cause obstruction. However, the wall of the colon is thinnest in the cecum; therefore, it is most vulnerable to ischemic necrosis and perforation from large bowel obstructions.
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There are four layers of the wall: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis propria, and serosa (Figure 32–2). The mucosa is composed of three layers: a simple columnar epithelium organized to form crypts, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa. The submucosa is the strength layer of the colon because it has the highest concentration of collagen. Therefore, this layer is especially important to incorporate during anastomoses. The muscularis propria is composed of an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer that thickens into three bands around the circumference to form the taenia coli. The appendix can be found at the point on the cecum where the taenia converge. At the rectosigmoid, these bands fan out to form a uniform layer, marking the end of the colon and the beginning of the rectum. The forces of these muscular components of the wall result in shortening of the colon to form sacculations called haustra (Figure 32–3). These are not fixed structures, but can be observed to move longitudinally. The epiploic appendages are fatty appendages on the serosal surface.
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The rectum begins at the sacral promontory and ends at the anorectal ring. It lies between the sigmoid colon and the anus and is 12-16 cm in length. There are no tenia as the longitudinal muscle fans out and encompasses the circumference of the rectal wall. The rectum can be further differentiated from the colon by its lack of appendices epiploicae and haustra. The rectum is both an intra- and extraperitoneal organ. The anterior and lateral ...