The section of the colon below the descending colon and above the rectum and anus….

The main working area of the large bowel, where water is removed from solid waste. Its four parts are the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.

The section of the colon between the ascending and descending colon….

The left side of the colon.

The right side of the bowel.

An operation in which cancerous areas of the colon are cut out and the healthy parts are sewn back together. Colectomies are named for the part removed. They include: right and left hemicolectomies, and transverse, sigmoid, subtotal and total colectomies.

An operation for rectal cancer, which involves removing part of the colon and the rectum and anus and creating a permanent colostomy. Also used for anal cancer.

The surgical removal of the entire colon and rectum….

The long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that is part of the digestive tract. The bowel has two parts: the small and large bowel. The large bowel includes the colon and the rectum.

Part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The large bowel stores waste until it leaves the body as faeces. Its four main sections are the caecum, colon, rectum and anus. Also called the large intestine.