The small intestine leads into the large intestine, which is wider as compared to the small intestine. At the junction of the small and the large intestine there is a sac like structure that is known as caecum and a blind tube called the appendix. This has no specific function in food digestion, but in humans the appendix may get contaminated or infected with germs or foreign bodies. This causes severe inflammation and pain in the appendix and leads to appendicitis.
All the digested food contents are absorbed in the small intestine, but the remaining unabsorbed parts are transferred in the large intestine, which consists of largely cellulose, live and dead bacteria, and dead cells from the lining of the alimentary canal, mucus, bile pigments, small amounts of nitrogenous wastes, and the water. As materials pass along the colon, water is absorbed from it. The unabsorbed matter for example bacteria etc, become more solid. This solid matter then pass on to the rectum as faeces. Eventually, the faeces are expelled out through the anus and this entire course is referred as egestion. The mesentery holds the various organs of the digestive system in their right places to avoid clumping of the intestine.
All the digested food contents are absorbed in the small intestine, but the remaining unabsorbed parts are transferred in the large intestine, which consists of largely cellulose, live and dead bacteria, and dead cells from the lining of the alimentary canal, mucus, bile pigments, small amounts of nitrogenous wastes, and the water. As materials pass along the colon, water is absorbed from it. The unabsorbed matter for example bacteria etc, become more solid. This solid matter then pass on to the rectum as faeces. Eventually, the faeces are expelled out through the anus and this entire course is referred as egestion. The mesentery holds the various organs of the digestive system in their right places to avoid clumping of the intestine.