“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
The ascending colon is a part of the large intestine that is located on the right side of the abdomen. It begins at the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine, and ascends upwards towards the liver. The ascending colon is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from undigested food, and it also plays a role in the formation of feces.
The ascending colon is about 15-20 cm in length and is divided into two parts: the medial portion, which is retroperitoneal (located behind the peritoneum), and the lateral portion, which is intraperitoneal (located within the peritoneal cavity). It is connected to the transverse colon, the next segment of the large intestine, by the hepatic flexure.
Diseases and conditions that can affect the ascending colon include inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and ischemic colitis. Symptoms of these conditions may include abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, and blood in the stool. Treatment for ascending colon disorders may involve medications, dietary changes, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition.