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

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 below the descending colon and above the rectum and anus….

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.

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.

The passage from the mouth to the anus that allows a person to digest food and eliminate waste. The lower GI tract includes the colon, rectum and anus.

An opening (stoma) in the abdomen made from the colon (part of the large bowel). Also, the operation that creates this stoma.

Cancer of the large bowel; also known as colorectal cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer.