FUNCTION OF

LARGE INTESTINE
DR. MOHD.HEIKAL MY
PHYSIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Faculty of Medicine UKM
mohdheikalyunus@yahoo.com
OBJECTIVES

1. To explain the function of large intestine in

term of secretion, motility and absorption
2. To describe the role of colonic normal flora GI
tract
3. To explain the mechanism of defecation
LARGE INTESTINE
• Primary function: to store and concentrate fecal
material before defecation
• Secretion consists of mucus and fluid containing
HCO-3 and K+
i) protection to the mucosa
ii) lubrication to facilitate passage of feces
iii) neutralized acid produced by bacterial fermentation
MOTILITY
i) Haustral contractions
Similar to segmentation but slow and non
propulsive; BER (1/30min)
Initiated by distension
Controlled by local reflexes through intrinsic
plexuses
Fx : facilitate mixing & absorption, storage
Common in proximal colon
ii) Mass action contraction
(Mass movement)
Simultaneous, intense and prolonged contraction
of colonic smooth muscle over large confluent
areas
Triggered by gastrocolic reflex
Move colonic contents from one portion of large
intestine to another in few seconds
Common in central and distal colon
Intestinal & colon reflex
• Reflex mediated from the stomach to the small
intestine & colon by:
i) Hormones : Gastrin
ii) Local Distension in stomach → PNS
↑ Ileum & ↑Colonic Motility and Mass movement
↑ movement of material through ileocecal sphinc.
 pushes colonic contents to rectum
→ + defecation reflex
• Gastroileal & gastrocolic reflexes
initiated to move the existing contents father down
the tract to prepare for the incoming food
ABSORPTION
• Function : absorption of water and Na+
90% of fluid → semisolid feces
• Na+ is actively absorbed and H2O follows the
osmotic gradient
• Absorption of vitamin K (synthesized by colonic
bacteria)
• Absorption of fatty acids ( undigested fiber
metabolized by bacteria) through passive diffusion
COLONIC NORMAL FLORA
• 500 different species bacteria reside in colon
Slow colonic movement : bacterial growth &
accumulation
Harmless & provide beneficial functions:
• Nutritional contributions
• Vit K, B complex, Folic acid
• Short chain fatty acids
• Enhance intestinal immunity :
• Competitive supress the growth of pathogenic microbes
• Promote colonic motility
• Maintain colonic mucosal integrity
 DEFECATION
 Accomplished by series of
voluntary & involuntary acts
 Initiated by movement of feces
into rectum (*1).
 The resultant ↑ in intra-rectal
pressure produces an urge to
defecate.
 Stimulation of stretch receptor
↑ENS & PNS activity (*3a, *3b)
 Signals sent to ↑mass movement
& local peristalsis in large intestine
(*4a, *4b)
 At the same time reflex relaxation
of internal anal sphincter occurs.
 External anal sphincter can be
controlled voluntarily
 Defecation occurs if external
sphinter relax
thank
you
TUTORIAL

• 1. Describe the neural reflexes leading to increase salivary

secretion.
• 2. List and explain the cephalic, gastric and intestinal phase stimuli
that stimulate or inhibit gastric acid secretion.
• 3. Describe the factors that control gastric emptying
• 4. Identify the enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion and the
mechanism of carbohydrate absorption in the small intestine.
• 5. List three ways in which protein or their digestion products can
be absorbed from intestinal lumen into interstitial space/blood
circulation.
• 6. Explain the role of bile salt in fat digestion and absorption.
• 7. Describe the hormonal regulation of pancreatic juice secretion.
• 8. Describe the sequence of events that occur during defecation.