Large intestine

• The large intestine is wider and shorter than small intestine.
• It is about 1.5 metres in length.
• Its function is to absorb water and some salts from the undigested food material.

• Once the food reaches the large intestine, most digestion has already taken place.
• The main functions of the large intestine are to absorb water and form faecal matter to remove wastes from our body.

Assimilation:

• The absorbed substances are transported via the blood vessels to different organs of the body where they are used to build complex substances such as the proteins required by the body.
• This is called assimilation.

Egestion/ Elimination:

• After absorption of water in the large intestine, the undigested food becomes semi­solid.
• It is then stored in the rectum until it is excreted via the anus.

Diarrhoea:

• Sometimes, consumption of infected food or unclean water can result in a condition called diarrhoea.
• It is an infection of the intestine and involves passing of watery stools very frequently.
• Dehydration is a condition that results due to loss of water from the body and can be serious.
• It can be avoided by giving Oral Rehydrating Solution (ORS) to the patient suffering from diarrhoea.