Page 607 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

muscle called the taeniae coli (16) and supplied by blood vessels (6). The

parasympathetic ganglia of the myenteric nerve plexus (4, 15) are located
between the muscle layers of the muscularis externa (14).

The outermost layer, serosa (5), covers the connective tissue and adipose
(fat) cells (7). However, the serosa (5) covers only the transverse and sigmoid
colon. The ascending and descending colon are retroperitoneal, attached to the

body wall, and their posterior surfaces lined with the connective tissue
adventitia.

FIGURE 15.13 ■ Large intestine: colon wall (transverse section). Stain:

hematoxylin and eosin. Medium magnification.

FUNCTIONAL CORRELATIONS 15.4 ■ Large

Intestine

The principal functions of the large intestine are to absorb water and
minerals (electrolytes) from the remaining indigestible material that was

606