Veterinary Splanchnology and Applied Anotomy

Colon

COLON (OX)

• The colon is about 10 m. in length
• It has at first a diameter of about 4 inches but later on gradually becomes smaller to about 5 cm
• The greater part of it is arranged in double elliptical coils between the layers of the mesentery
• It begins as direct continuation of the caecum, runs forwards for a short distance, and then turns upwards and backwards in relation to the right flank laterally and caecum ventrally to the caudal part of the sublumbar region
• Here it again turns forwards and runs parallel to the second part of the duodenum as far as second lumbar, turn backward and are continued by the coiled spiral part
• The coils are alternatively centripetal and centrifugal (Click to see the centripetal and centrifugal coils of colon)
• It gradually diminishes in its diameter and the terminal part leaves the spiral mass, passes forward to the root of the cranial mesenteric artery and runs backwards dorsal to the third part of the duodenum forming a loop round the artery as it’s axis
• It inclines to the right, related to the ventral face of the right kidney and form an S-shaped curve near the pelvic inlet and joins the ectum
• This part is attached by a short mesocolon to the sublumbar region.