Defaecation

Large intestine

There are more than 1000 different species of bacteria in the large intestine

Functions of the large intestine

Absorption of water and vitamins and formation of feces

Substances that are absorbed in the large intestine

Water, salt minerals and metabolic byproducts of some bacteria such as vitamin B, vitamin K and folic acid

Feces

Remaining waste is a semisolid called after water is reabsorbed

Content of feces

Contains dead cells from the inner layer of the intestine, waste products such as bile pigments, bacteria and toxic substances

The walls of the large intestine

secrete mucus to smoothen the movement of faeces until the anus.

12 to 24 hours

The duration for feces to move before entering the rectum

Structure that stores feces

Rectum

Defecation

The process of contraction of rectum muscles to expel feces

The structure of a large intestine