One of the important jobs of the large intestine is to absorb the
remaining water from the food residue passing through the
intestines. The residue that is left remains in a semisolid state
and is propelled toward the rectum by peristalsis. Through reflexes
which are triggered by a full colon, feces is eliminated from the
body.
Review Date: 11/08/2010
Reviewed By: George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser
Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
