Medical expert of the article
New publications
Descending colon
Last reviewed: 19.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Descending colon (colon descendens) begins from the left bend of the colon down and passes into the sigmoid colon at the level of the iliac crest of the ilium. The length of the descending colon is an average of 23 cm (10 to 30 cm). The descending colon is in the left part of the abdominal cavity. The posterior surface of the gut is attached to the square muscle of the lower back, the lower pole of the left kidney. The anterior surface of the descending colon is in contact with the anterior abdominal wall. To the right of the intestine are loops of the jejunum, to the left - the left abdominal wall. The peritoneum covers the descending colon in front and from the sides (mesoperitoneal position).
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]