Transverse colon: its structure and types of disease

The large intestine refers to the organs of the digestive tract. This department of the gastrointestinal tract has the widest lumen. In the large intestine, feces are formed, as well as absorption of water from digested food residues. This organ is divided into 5 anatomical departments. One of them is the transverse colon. It is the central department. As in other parts of the large intestine, it can develop pathological processes. The physician-gastroenterologist and surgeon are engaged in treatment of this body.

Anatomical structure of the transverse colon

The transverse colon is located between the ascending and descending parts. It passes from the hepatic to the splenic bend. The transverse section is in the form of a loop. It can be above or below the level of the umbilical ring. In some cases, the transverse colon reaches the small pelvis. In length it is considered to be the longest (about 50 cm).

Inside this department is represented by a mucosa. Lining the transverse intestine is a cylindrical single-layered epithelium. The plate of the mucosa consists of fibrous connective tissue. Exocrine glands and clusters of lymphoid cells are located in it. In the submucosal layer there are blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as nerves. The muscular membrane is represented by smooth muscles. During the transverse colon there are 3 sphincters. The first - is in the proximal part, the second - in the middle part, the third - in the splenic bend.

Mesentery of the transverse colon is located on the back wall of the abdomen. It contains blood and lymphatic vessels. The colon is covered with the peritoneum on all sides. Therefore, it refers to intraperitoneal anatomical formations.

The value of the transverse colon in the body

The transverse part of the large intestine is the median one. It performs the following functions:

1. Development of the secret necessary for the formation of final products - excrement. Exocrine glands are involved in the breakdown of cellulose.
2. Promotion of the contents through the lumen of the intestine. It is realized due to the presence of special tapes - gaustra, as well as sphincters.
3. Absorption of liquid from chyme, fat-soluble vitamins, glucose and amino acids.

The transverse colon is of great importance, since all these functions are necessary for the digestive process. In the lumen of this department there are many bacteria that make up a normal microflora. They are necessary to maintain acid-base balance. In addition, a normal microflora is involved in the inactivation of pathogenic bacteria.

Transverse colon: topography

Above the transverse part of the colon are digestive organs. Among them - liver, gall bladder, spleen. In front, the transverse intestine is adjacent to the anterior abdominal wall. Therefore, it is well available for palpation. The lower edge of the organ adjoins the loops of the small intestine. Behind is the pancreas, the left kidney and the DPC. These anatomical formations are separated from the transverse colon through mesacolon - the mesentery. It provides blood supply and lymph drainage from this department.

An epiploon is located between the transverse colon and the large curvature of the stomach. It forms a bundle. Blood supply of the organ is carried out by branches from the upper and lower mesenteric arteries.

Causes of abnormalities of the transverse colon

The defeat of the transverse colon can result from various causes. In some cases, the disease is formed in early childhood or in the intrauterine period. This is due to improper laying of the fetal tissues. Other causes of pathologies include the following effects:

1. Mechanical damage to the intestinal mucosa.
2. Bacterial and viral lesions.
3. Functional disorders due to neurological diseases.
4. Chemical effects.
5. Appearance of neoplasms in the lumen of the transverse colon.
6. Acute and chronic circulatory disorders in the mesenteric vessels.
7. Chronic destructive processes.

All these causes lead to a disruption in the functioning of the transverse colon. As a result, digestion disorders occur. All pathological conditions require treatment. After all, in his absence stasis stools and intoxication of the whole body.

Diseases of the transverse part of the colon

When there is pain in the abdomen, you should pay attention to whether the transverse colon is not affected. Symptoms of damage can be different. Clinical manifestations depend on the pathological process that has developed in the patient. The following groups of diseases of the transverse colon are distinguished:

1. Chronic nonspecific inflammatory processes. These include ulcerative colitis, which leads to destruction of the wall of the large intestine.
2. Specific inflammatory pathologies. An example is Crohn's disease. Destruction may be exposed to the entire digestive tract, but more often the sites of damage are localized in the lumen of the small and large intestine.
3. Acute inflammatory diseases - colitis. Develop due to infectious viral and bacterial lesions.
4. Tumor diseases of the transverse colon. They are divided into benign processes and cancer.
5. Injuries to the abdomen, leading to damage to the body wall.
6. Functional disturbances.
7. Obstruction of the transverse colon by feces, congestion of parasites, tumor process.
8. Disturbance of mesenteric circulation due to thrombosis, embolism.

In early childhood, congenital abnormalities of the intestine are found. These include Hirschsprung's disease, cystic fibrosis, megacolon.

Symptoms of abnormalities of the transverse-colon intestine

Signs of diseases of the transverse colon include: pain, a violation of the consistency of stool and act of defecation, symptoms of intoxication. Unpleasant sensations in the navel or slightly below its level can be observed in any pathological condition. If the disease is caused by pathogens of intestinal infection, they will be strongly pronounced. In this case, there is a frequent loose stool, which can contain various impurities - mucus, blood. With some infectious processes, the feces acquire a characteristic color and smell (in the form of "marsh mud", "frog caviar", "rice broth"). Dysentery is characterized by severe spasms in the left abdomen and false urges on the act of defecation.

In chronic inflammatory processes, unpleasant sensations in the abdomen are periodically observed, diarrhea followed by a delay in the stool. Damage to the intestinal wall leads to the formation of bleeding ulcers.

Vascular disorders, congestion and congenital anomalies lead to the development of intestinal obstruction. This disease refers to acute surgical conditions. Regardless of the cause that led to obstruction, help is required immediately.

Benign neoplasm in the intestine

Benign tumor of the transverse colon can arise from any tissue that forms the wall of the organ. The varieties of this group of diseases include: polyp, myoma, fibroma, hemangioma. Benign neoplasms are characterized by the fact that they grow into the lumen of the organ without damaging the wall thickness. A common type of tumors is the polyp of the transverse colon. It is a small growth, turned into the cavity of the organ. With a small size of the formation, the polyp can not be manifested in any way. However, it must be removed. Because of the constant passage of stool in the intestine, a benign tumor is damaged, can bleed or be infected. There is a high risk that the polyp will grow into an oncological process.

Malignant tumors of the transverse colon

Colon cancer affects older people, but can develop in younger patients. Most often it occurs against the background of chronic inflammatory pathologies, polyposis. Symptoms of cancer include pain, stool disruption, with large tumor sizes - intestinal obstruction. In neglected cases, patients can not eat, there is an increase in inguinal lymph nodes, an increase in body temperature, weight loss and weakness.

Transverse colon: treatment of pathologies

Treatment of diseases of the transverse colon can be conservative and operative. In the first case, antibacterial medicines (preparations "Ciprofloxacin", "Azithromycin"), anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Diarrhea is an indication for rehydration therapy. The liquid is administered in various ways. If the patient's condition is satisfactory, they are allowed to drink alkaline mineral water, the "Regidron" solution. In severe cases, fluid is injected into the vein. With diarrhea, medicines "Smecta", "Hilak-forte", which promote the normalization of the intestine, are prescribed.

With destructive and oncological diseases, an operation is performed. It consists in the resection of the transverse colon and the stitching of the free ends. After a surgical intervention, you must follow a diet, since the restoration of the functions of the organ does not occur immediately.