Yourcolon(large intestine) is in your lower abdomen and connects the small intestine to the rectum in yourgastrointestinal(GI) tract. Together, the small and large intestines measure about 27 feet with the colon making up the last 5 feet.By the time food reaches the colon in yourdigestive system, most of the digestion process is complete.
This article is designed to provide key facts about the colon and help you to better identify signs ofcommon colon problems. It describes where the colon is, how long your intestines are, thefunction of the large intestine, and even how much poop is in your body.
1The Colon is 5 Feet LongPIXOLOGICSTUDIO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty ImagesYour colon, or large intestine, stretches from the end of yoursmall intestineto youranus. In order, these are the parts of the large intestine:CecumAscending colonTransverse colonDescending colonSigmoid colonRectumAnal canalThe large intestine is about 5 feet long and forms an inverted U-shape around your abdomen. Your colon is three inches wide at its widest point, the cecum. It’s just under an inch wide at its narrowest point, the sigmoid colon.A Look Inside Your Digestive System
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The Colon is 5 Feet LongPIXOLOGICSTUDIO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty ImagesYour colon, or large intestine, stretches from the end of yoursmall intestineto youranus. In order, these are the parts of the large intestine:CecumAscending colonTransverse colonDescending colonSigmoid colonRectumAnal canalThe large intestine is about 5 feet long and forms an inverted U-shape around your abdomen. Your colon is three inches wide at its widest point, the cecum. It’s just under an inch wide at its narrowest point, the sigmoid colon.A Look Inside Your Digestive System
The Colon is 5 Feet Long
PIXOLOGICSTUDIO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
Your colon, or large intestine, stretches from the end of yoursmall intestineto youranus. In order, these are the parts of the large intestine:
The large intestine is about 5 feet long and forms an inverted U-shape around your abdomen. Your colon is three inches wide at its widest point, the cecum. It’s just under an inch wide at its narrowest point, the sigmoid colon.
A Look Inside Your Digestive System
2Adults Poop About 128 Grams Every DayA doctor goes over a patient'’s x-ray, screening for colon cancer.Getty Images North AmericaThe weight of poop varies from person to person. However, adults generally excrete an estimated 128 grams, or 1/4 pound, of poop every day.Some estimates are higher, depending on your diet.Poop isn’t the only weight in your GI tract. Researchers at the University of California San Diego note that up to 1/2 pound of microbial cells are found in your gut.Your rectum is usually empty after a bowel movement. The transit time of the contents in your colon (how long it takes to digest food before you poop) contributes to the amount of fecal matter in your body.Despite claims that you can have 6 to 40 pounds of fecal matter stuck in your body, the facts don’t support it.Nor is the fecal matter toxic. Experts say it may be better to invest in healthier foods than costly colon cleanses and unproven treatments.Colon Hydrotherapy: Are Cleansings Safe and Effective?
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Adults Poop About 128 Grams Every DayA doctor goes over a patient'’s x-ray, screening for colon cancer.Getty Images North AmericaThe weight of poop varies from person to person. However, adults generally excrete an estimated 128 grams, or 1/4 pound, of poop every day.Some estimates are higher, depending on your diet.Poop isn’t the only weight in your GI tract. Researchers at the University of California San Diego note that up to 1/2 pound of microbial cells are found in your gut.Your rectum is usually empty after a bowel movement. The transit time of the contents in your colon (how long it takes to digest food before you poop) contributes to the amount of fecal matter in your body.Despite claims that you can have 6 to 40 pounds of fecal matter stuck in your body, the facts don’t support it.Nor is the fecal matter toxic. Experts say it may be better to invest in healthier foods than costly colon cleanses and unproven treatments.Colon Hydrotherapy: Are Cleansings Safe and Effective?
Adults Poop About 128 Grams Every Day
A doctor goes over a patient'’s x-ray, screening for colon cancer.Getty Images North America
The weight of poop varies from person to person. However, adults generally excrete an estimated 128 grams, or 1/4 pound, of poop every day.Some estimates are higher, depending on your diet.
Poop isn’t the only weight in your GI tract. Researchers at the University of California San Diego note that up to 1/2 pound of microbial cells are found in your gut.
Your rectum is usually empty after a bowel movement. The transit time of the contents in your colon (how long it takes to digest food before you poop) contributes to the amount of fecal matter in your body.
Despite claims that you can have 6 to 40 pounds of fecal matter stuck in your body, the facts don’t support it.Nor is the fecal matter toxic. Experts say it may be better to invest in healthier foods than costly colon cleanses and unproven treatments.
Colon Hydrotherapy: Are Cleansings Safe and Effective?
3Colon Transit Time Is 12 to 48 HoursMichael Skoglund / Getty ImagesMany people believe the food they eat comes out in their next bowel movement. It actually takes a long time for food to make its way through the entire length of your digestive system.This length of time is known as transit time and can be measured with acolonic transit time test.Average transit times vary depending on the person. Factors that affect transit time include:RaceSexTypical dietAmount of physical activityTransit time longer than 72 hours can be a sign of a bowel disorder.
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Colon Transit Time Is 12 to 48 HoursMichael Skoglund / Getty ImagesMany people believe the food they eat comes out in their next bowel movement. It actually takes a long time for food to make its way through the entire length of your digestive system.This length of time is known as transit time and can be measured with acolonic transit time test.Average transit times vary depending on the person. Factors that affect transit time include:RaceSexTypical dietAmount of physical activityTransit time longer than 72 hours can be a sign of a bowel disorder.
Colon Transit Time Is 12 to 48 Hours
Michael Skoglund / Getty Images
Many people believe the food they eat comes out in their next bowel movement. It actually takes a long time for food to make its way through the entire length of your digestive system.
This length of time is known as transit time and can be measured with acolonic transit time test.
Average transit times vary depending on the person. Factors that affect transit time include:
Transit time longer than 72 hours can be a sign of a bowel disorder.
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Peter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
Some people consider one bowel movement per day to be normal. But research doesn’t support this. The frequency of bowel movements varies widelyamongindividuals and varies widelyforany single individual.
The average number of times a person poops per day, reported across 39 different studies, works out to 1.1 times per day but twice per day is within a normal range.
5100 Trillion Microbes Live in Your ColonPASIEKA/Science Photo Library/Getty ImagesOur colons are host to trillions of microorganisms known asmicrobiotaorgut flora. The majority of these organisms are bacteria.The identification of the role of the microbiota led to the popularity of usingprobioticsas supplements and food additives to enhance digestive health and immune function.
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100 Trillion Microbes Live in Your ColonPASIEKA/Science Photo Library/Getty ImagesOur colons are host to trillions of microorganisms known asmicrobiotaorgut flora. The majority of these organisms are bacteria.The identification of the role of the microbiota led to the popularity of usingprobioticsas supplements and food additives to enhance digestive health and immune function.
100 Trillion Microbes Live in Your Colon
PASIEKA/Science Photo Library/Getty Images
Our colons are host to trillions of microorganisms known asmicrobiotaorgut flora. The majority of these organisms are bacteria.
The identification of the role of the microbiota led to the popularity of usingprobioticsas supplements and food additives to enhance digestive health and immune function.
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Your Colon Is Never Empty
Larry Washburn/Getty Images
Stool is made up of:
7The Colon Absorbs 1 Quart of Water a DayBernard Van Berg / EyeEm / Getty ImagesIt’s the colon’s job to complete the process of digestion. Its main purpose is to absorb water and electrolytes from the material passed from the small intestine. This material is then formed into a stool that can be passed during the process of a bowel movement.When a person experiences diarrhea, they are passing stool that has not been in the colon long enough to have had enough liquid absorbed to firm up the stool.The opposite occurs when a person experiencesconstipation. In that case, the stool has been in the colon too long and becomes dried out, hard, and difficult to pass. It tends to weigh less because of lower water content.
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The Colon Absorbs 1 Quart of Water a DayBernard Van Berg / EyeEm / Getty ImagesIt’s the colon’s job to complete the process of digestion. Its main purpose is to absorb water and electrolytes from the material passed from the small intestine. This material is then formed into a stool that can be passed during the process of a bowel movement.When a person experiences diarrhea, they are passing stool that has not been in the colon long enough to have had enough liquid absorbed to firm up the stool.The opposite occurs when a person experiencesconstipation. In that case, the stool has been in the colon too long and becomes dried out, hard, and difficult to pass. It tends to weigh less because of lower water content.
The Colon Absorbs 1 Quart of Water a Day
Bernard Van Berg / EyeEm / Getty Images
It’s the colon’s job to complete the process of digestion. Its main purpose is to absorb water and electrolytes from the material passed from the small intestine. This material is then formed into a stool that can be passed during the process of a bowel movement.
When a person experiences diarrhea, they are passing stool that has not been in the colon long enough to have had enough liquid absorbed to firm up the stool.
The opposite occurs when a person experiencesconstipation. In that case, the stool has been in the colon too long and becomes dried out, hard, and difficult to pass. It tends to weigh less because of lower water content.
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Tom Grill / Getty Images
One of your body’s reflexes is thegastrocolic reflex. When you eat something, this reflex kicks in and starts a process of movement throughout your entire digestive tract.
Large meals and fatty meals appear to cause a greater gastrocolic reflex and may prompt the need to poop. This information is useful for those who are prone to either constipation or diarrhea. The person prone to diarrhea should stick to small, low-fat meals.
For someone with constipation, healthy fats (e.g., certain oils and polyunsaturated fats) are known to aid with constipation. However, butter, grease, and oils don’t help.Foods high in saturated fat, such as hard cheeses, can be constipating.
9Healthy Stools Are Not Always BrownLeslee Mitchell/Moment/Getty ImagesThere’s no need to panic if you see some variation in thecolor of your stools. Various factors can affect stool color. Healthy stools typically fall into the brown range but can be yellow or orange as well.Healthy stool also can be seen in different shapes. TheBristol stool chartdescribes seven types of poop, ranging from too hard to watery, without solid matter. Types 3 and 4 are considered normal.Notify your healthcare provider if your stools are bright or dark red, or black or tar-colored. This may be a sign of internal bleeding.What It Means When Poop Is Fluffy, Hard, Colored, and More
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Healthy Stools Are Not Always BrownLeslee Mitchell/Moment/Getty ImagesThere’s no need to panic if you see some variation in thecolor of your stools. Various factors can affect stool color. Healthy stools typically fall into the brown range but can be yellow or orange as well.Healthy stool also can be seen in different shapes. TheBristol stool chartdescribes seven types of poop, ranging from too hard to watery, without solid matter. Types 3 and 4 are considered normal.Notify your healthcare provider if your stools are bright or dark red, or black or tar-colored. This may be a sign of internal bleeding.What It Means When Poop Is Fluffy, Hard, Colored, and More
Healthy Stools Are Not Always Brown
Leslee Mitchell/Moment/Getty Images
There’s no need to panic if you see some variation in thecolor of your stools. Various factors can affect stool color. Healthy stools typically fall into the brown range but can be yellow or orange as well.
Healthy stool also can be seen in different shapes. TheBristol stool chartdescribes seven types of poop, ranging from too hard to watery, without solid matter. Types 3 and 4 are considered normal.
Notify your healthcare provider if your stools are bright or dark red, or black or tar-colored. This may be a sign of internal bleeding.
What It Means When Poop Is Fluffy, Hard, Colored, and More
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You Can Live Without a Colon
PeopleImages / Getty Images
Some health conditions, likecolon cancerorinflammatory bowel disease, may make it necessary to remove a person’s colon. In some of these cases, a procedure called acolostomyis done. During the procedure, an opening is made in the abdomen so that fecal material can be collected outside of the body in a colostomy bag.
Another option is the use of aJ-Pouch, in which the last part of the small intestine is used to hold stool internally.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Difference between small and large intestine.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.National Cancer Institute: SEER Training Modules.Anatomy of colon and rectum.Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmell E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2015;45(17):1827-1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761University of California San Diego.The Microsetta Initiative.Schwarz, J. McGill University Office for Science and Society.You’re Full of Crap. Literally.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Bowel transit time.Valdes AM, Walter J, Segal E, Spector TD.Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health.BMJ. 2018;361:k2179. doi:10.1136/bmj.k2179Ali MK, Liu L, Chen JH, Huizinga JD.Optimizing Autonomic Function Analysis via Heart Rate Variability Associated With Motor Activity of the Human Colon.Front Physiol. 2021 Jun 29;12:619722. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.619722.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for Constipation.NYU Langone Hospitals.Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Difference between small and large intestine.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.National Cancer Institute: SEER Training Modules.Anatomy of colon and rectum.Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmell E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2015;45(17):1827-1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761University of California San Diego.The Microsetta Initiative.Schwarz, J. McGill University Office for Science and Society.You’re Full of Crap. Literally.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Bowel transit time.Valdes AM, Walter J, Segal E, Spector TD.Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health.BMJ. 2018;361:k2179. doi:10.1136/bmj.k2179Ali MK, Liu L, Chen JH, Huizinga JD.Optimizing Autonomic Function Analysis via Heart Rate Variability Associated With Motor Activity of the Human Colon.Front Physiol. 2021 Jun 29;12:619722. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.619722.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for Constipation.NYU Langone Hospitals.Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Difference between small and large intestine.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.National Cancer Institute: SEER Training Modules.Anatomy of colon and rectum.Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmell E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2015;45(17):1827-1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761University of California San Diego.The Microsetta Initiative.Schwarz, J. McGill University Office for Science and Society.You’re Full of Crap. Literally.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Bowel transit time.Valdes AM, Walter J, Segal E, Spector TD.Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health.BMJ. 2018;361:k2179. doi:10.1136/bmj.k2179Ali MK, Liu L, Chen JH, Huizinga JD.Optimizing Autonomic Function Analysis via Heart Rate Variability Associated With Motor Activity of the Human Colon.Front Physiol. 2021 Jun 29;12:619722. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.619722.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for Constipation.NYU Langone Hospitals.Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Difference between small and large intestine.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.
National Cancer Institute: SEER Training Modules.Anatomy of colon and rectum.
Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmell E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2015;45(17):1827-1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761
University of California San Diego.The Microsetta Initiative.
Schwarz, J. McGill University Office for Science and Society.You’re Full of Crap. Literally.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Bowel transit time.
Valdes AM, Walter J, Segal E, Spector TD.Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health.BMJ. 2018;361:k2179. doi:10.1136/bmj.k2179
Ali MK, Liu L, Chen JH, Huizinga JD.Optimizing Autonomic Function Analysis via Heart Rate Variability Associated With Motor Activity of the Human Colon.Front Physiol. 2021 Jun 29;12:619722. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.619722.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for Constipation.
NYU Langone Hospitals.Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.
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