MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Ya.I. Fedoniuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

CHAPTER 7. THE NUTRITIONAL PROCESS AND ITS PATHOLOGY

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

LARGE INTESTINE

2. DIGESTION IN THE LARGE INTESTINE

The Large Intestine plays a minor role in the digestive process, as food is almost completely digested and absorbed in the Small Intestine, with the exception of plant fiber. A small amount of chyme undergoes Hydrolysis in the large intestine under METABOLISM/18.html">The Influence of Enzymes entering from the small intestine and the secretion of the large intestine. The intestinal juice of the large intestine is secreted only when chyme enters it in response to mechanical and chemical stimulation.

The microflora of the large intestine plays a major role in Digestion. Its activity drives the Fermentation of CARBOHYDRATES and the putrefaction of Proteins. Plant fiber is broken down by bacterial action. The substances released in this process are digested by the Enzymes of the intestinal juice and absorbed.

The intestinal microflora participates in the synthesis of B-group Vitamins and vitamin K. Furthermore, Bacteria in the large intestine are involved in the metabolism of proteins, Phospholipids, Bile and Fatty acids, bilirubin, and Cholesterol.

The final absorption of Water takes place in the large intestine, resulting in the compaction of liquid chyme. The formation of feces is also facilitated by mucus lumps from the intestinal juice.

Feces consist of undigested food particles, mucus, desquamated intestinal epithelial Cells, degraded pigments (which give feces their brown color), and bacteria.