Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomy and FunctionColon ConditionsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy and Function
Colon Conditions
Diagnosis
Treatment
The descending colon is around 4 to 6 inches, or 10 to 15 centimeters (cm), long.The muscularcolonis about 5 feet long and is divided into five parts. The descending colon is the third main section of the colon and connects to the transverse colon and sigmoid colon.
Many health conditions can affect the descending colon, includinginflammatory bowel disease(IBD), colon cancer, colonic perforation, and diverticulitis.
The descending colon is part of the large intestine, which contains the following sections:
From the rectum and anus, stool will pass when leaving the body.
Where Is the Descending Colon?
All parts of the colon are made up of four separate layers—serosa, muscularis, submucosa, and mucosa.They also have individual physical features, including the following:
The colon containsgut flora(bacteria and other microbes), includingBifidobacteriaandLactobacillus.These microbes assist in digesting food and protecting the lining of the gut. An imbalance in gut flora can lead to the growth of less beneficial microbes and may result in diarrhea or severe digestive health conditions.
Descending Colon Conditions
Constipation and Diarrhea
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), you are constipated if you have the following:
The descending colon is one of the last segments before stool passes from the body, so if you are constipated, hard stools may lead to left-sided descending colon pain.
Diarrhea refers to loose, watery stools three or more times a day.It is a symptom of many chronic conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Diarrhea causes abdominal pain and cramping, which can affect the descending colon.
Redundant Colon
This condition refers to a longer-than-normal colon, especially in the descending colon.The colon may also have additional twists or loops in it. If symptoms are felt, they may include bloating, constipation, and impacted fecal matter.
A redundant colon might lead tosigmoid volvulus, a twisting of the sigmoid colon that can be extremely painful. Sigmoid volvulus can be life-threatening and should be treated immediately.
Colon Polyps
Colon polypsare clumps of cells that grow in the colon; most are harmless, but they can develop into cancer. Removal of small polyps during aroutine colonoscopycan reduce cancer risk.
It is unlikely you will experience symptoms with polyps, but larger polyps can cause the following:
You should see a healthcare provider for abdominal pain, bloody stools, and bowel habit changes that last a week or longer.
Familial adenomatous polyposisis a rare, inherited condition that causes hundreds to thousands of polyps to form in the colon and rectum.FAP may occur from a spontaneous gene mutation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.It may cause descending colon pain, especially if you are constipated, have diarrhea, or experience abdominal pain and bloating.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
“Inflammatory bowel disease” is an umbrella term for disorders that cause chronic inflammation in the tissues of the digestive tract. This includesulcerative colitis(inflammation of the colon and rectum) andCrohn’s disease(inflammation of tissues in the digestive tract, including the colon).
Common IBD symptoms are:
Weight loss also can occur with an IBD diagnosis.
Colitis is inflammation of the colon.Ulcerative colitis, pseudomembranous colitis, and ischemic colitis arecolitis types. The inflammation of the colon can lead to pain throughout the entire colon. Other symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and the urgent need to have a bowel movement.
Diverticular Diseases
Diverticulosisanddiverticulitisare diverticular diseases.In diverticulosis, diverticula (small bulging pouches) develop in the intestinal lining and bulge through the muscular layers of the colon.
These often do not produce symptoms. Diverticulitis occurs when the pouches become inflamed. This may cause abdominal pain and require treatment from agastroenterologistwho specializes in the digestive system and conditions that affect it.
Colonic Perforation
A colonic perforation is a hole in the colon’s lining.It is sometimes called a bowel or gastrointestinal (GI) perforation. If a GI perforation affects the colon, it can affect any part of it, including the descending colon.
Symptoms of a colonic perforation include abdominal pain and cramping, which can be severe, abdominal bloating, swelling and tenderness, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the colon.Colon cancer symptomsinclude:
Most people with early-stage colon cancer will not experience symptoms.Routine screenings, such as stool tests and colonoscopies, are vital for an accurate diagnosis.
Descending Colon CancerMost colon cancers occur on the left in the descending and sigmoid parts of the colon.They will start in the mucosa, the innermost colon lining consisting of the cells that make and release mucus. If these cells change, they create colon polyps. Over time, polyps can become cancerous.
Descending Colon Cancer
Most colon cancers occur on the left in the descending and sigmoid parts of the colon.They will start in the mucosa, the innermost colon lining consisting of the cells that make and release mucus. If these cells change, they create colon polyps. Over time, polyps can become cancerous.
Abdominal pain causes are numerous, so there is no single test alone that can confirm a colon problem. Your doctor will utilize multiple diagnostic tools to determine the source of your symptoms.
Diagnostic testing for descending colon pain might include:
Treatment for your descending colon pain will depend on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. In general, treatment approaches may include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderContact your healthcare provider if your abdominal pain lasts more than a day or two and is not related to an acute (short-term) health condition. It’s especially important if you have afamily historyof colon cancer or a personal or family history of colon polyps. Other symptoms that warrant reaching out to your healthcare provider include:Recurrent diarrhea or constipationSignificant weight lossBlack or bloody stools
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if your abdominal pain lasts more than a day or two and is not related to an acute (short-term) health condition. It’s especially important if you have afamily historyof colon cancer or a personal or family history of colon polyps. Other symptoms that warrant reaching out to your healthcare provider include:Recurrent diarrhea or constipationSignificant weight lossBlack or bloody stools
Contact your healthcare provider if your abdominal pain lasts more than a day or two and is not related to an acute (short-term) health condition. It’s especially important if you have afamily historyof colon cancer or a personal or family history of colon polyps. Other symptoms that warrant reaching out to your healthcare provider include:
Summary
The descending colon is the second to last section of the colon, sitting between the transverse colon and sigmoid colon on the left side of the body. It stores food remains before they pass through to the sigmoid colon and the rectum for elimination.
Pain in the left part of the abdomen might indicate a problem with the descending colon, but many different health conditions can affect the descending colon: a redundant colon, colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer.
An accurate diagnosis is key, and treatment for colon conditions may include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. Some conditions may not require treatment, and your provider will want to monitor your condition with routine colonoscopies.
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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.
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