Human Anatomy, Part 1 - K. A. Dubenko, A. K. Kolomiyytsev, Yu. B. Chaykovsky 2002

Special Part
Splanchnology, splanchnologia [the study of viscera] - Digestive system, systema digestorium
Intestine - Large intestine - Transverse colon

The transverse colon, colon transversum (see Fig. 236), extends transversely, has an arched shape, and reaches a length of 25–30 cm. On the left side, as it transitions into the descending colon, it forms the left colic flexure, flexura coli sinistra [flexura coli splenica], which is located higher than the right one. The following positional Variants of the transverse colon are distinguished (B. V. Ognev, 1960) (Fig. 242):

- transverse;

- oblique — when the flexura coli dextra lies low, and the flexura coli sinistra lies high;

- arched — when the bowel sags downward in the shape of an arch;

- angular — when the bowel sags downward forming an acute angle.

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Fig. 242. Anatomical variants of the transverse colon (according to B. V. Ognev): A - horizontal shape; B - V-shaped form; C - loop-like form

The transverse colon is covered by Peritoneum on all sides, which forms a mesentery, mesocolon transversum. The ROOT of the mesentery is attached along a line running from the middle of the right Kidney, across the descending part of the duodenum and the HEAD of the Pancreas, to the middle of the left kidney. The right part of the colon transversum is adjacent to the right lobe of The Liver and the Gallbladder, which must be kept in mind, because in inflammatory conditions such as pericholecystitis, the gallbladder adheres to the bowel and may perforate directly into the lumen of the transverse colon.