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Ascending ColonAscending Colon Definition
What is the Ascending Colon? The ascending colon refers to the section of the colon that is situated between the transverse colon and the cecum. It is one of the 4 main areas of the colon, which is one of the sections of the large intestine itself.
It is mentioned as Colon ascendens in Latin and as Côlon ascendant in French. Location of the Ascending Colon
The organ extends from the cecum upwards to the area under the right lobe of the liver. The colon takes a swift turn, the right colic flexure, and then passes as the transverse colon across the abdomen. It is located on the quadratus lumborum muscle, then the right kidney, and finally the descending part of the duodenum. The convolutions of the small intestine are located to its medial side.
The small intestinal convolutions are located before the organ once the colon is collapsed. Once the colon is distended, it is immediately rear to the anterior abdominal wall. The peritoneum and the extraperitoneal connective tissue secure it to the posterior abdominal wall. Its sides and the front are covered by the peritoneum. The peritoneum fully surrounds it in around 25% cases, and forms an authentic mesocolon. What is the Function of the Ascending Colon?
What does the ascending colon do? The ascending colon is responsible for transporting waste matter from the cecum along the right edge of the abdominal cavity to the transverse colon. In this organ, bacteria feed on the transitory fecal matter and releases vitamins B1, B2, B12 and K. Vitamins, water and nutrients are absorbed by the intestinal wall from the fecal matter and can deposit such materials into the bloodstream.
Disorders and Problems affecting the Ascending Colon
Some of the various disorders affecting the organ include:
Crohn’s Disease This is a chronic ailment characterized by the swelling of the digestive tract, especially an inflammation of the small and the large intestines. Crohn’s disease can have an impact on all the ascending colon layers. Healthy and normal colon tissue can be seen to arise between parts of the diseased sections or tissues of the colon. It is one of the prime ascending colon problems. Patients are likely to suffer from various symptoms, such as ulcers, poor appetite, abdominal cramping, bloody stool, diarrhea and pain in abdomen. Skin problems, arthritis, ocular inflammation, fever and fatigue can also accompany the acute instances. Diverticulitis This type of disorder is characterized by a swelling of the diverticula, or pouches that develop over various parts of the intestines such as the lining of the ascending colon. The pouches can form on any area of the digestive tract, although these develop most commonly in the colon. In ascending colon diverticulitis may also arise without any adverse symptoms such as swelling. There are symptoms such as nausea, significant changes in bowel functions and movements, acute pain in the abdomen and fever. Mild cases of Diverticulitis can be cured with changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as medication. Surgical treatment might be needed in acute cases. Ulcerative colitis This disease is marked by swelling of the large intestine or the inner lining of the colon or the development of sores or ulcers. Inflammatory damage of the cells that line the colon wall can result in the development of ulcers which can then discharge blood and pus. This can lead to frequent and often painful bowel movements. The disease can arise at any age, although it is frequently seen in the age group of 15 – 30. It commonly affects men as well as women. Jewish and Caucasians are more vulnerable to this disorder. Patients can have symptoms like skin lesions, joint pain, rectal bleeding, loss of weight, low appetite, anemia and fatigue. Colon cancer At times, the ascending colon can develop a tumor or mass. Such tumors, in most cases, are colon cancer. Affected individual may suffer from ascending colon cancer symptoms of malignancy only after this type of cancer gets into advanced stages, often due to the fact that the feces are mostly liquid in this colon section, which ensures no adverse colonic blockages are caused. Almost 30% of all the malignant or benign growths, that affect the colon or the rectum, arise in the ascending colon. The ascending colon has a wider diameter, which means that the tumors that impact the region have a tendency to enlarge a lot before being diagnosed at last. Surgical removal of the affected colon section or the tumor, along with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, is the curative option for malignant or benign (non-cancerous) tumors in ascending colon cancer patients. Ascending Colon PicturesThe images below show the location and appearance of the ascending colon.
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