The large bowel (colon and rectum)

The bowel is part of our digestive system. It is divided into two parts, the small bowel and the large bowel. The large bowel is made up of the colon and rectum.

Once food has been swallowed, it passes down the gullet (oesophagus) to the stomach, where digestion begins. It then passes through the small bowel, where essential nutrients are taken into the body. The digested food then moves into the large bowel and water is absorbed by the colon.

Colon and rectum

The remaining waste matter, known as stools or faeces, is held in the rectum (back passage) until it is ready to be passed from the body through the anus as a bowel motion (stool). Close to the bowel are lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands which are about the size of a baked bean. The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system.