Sigmoid colon

WikiDoc Resources for Sigmoid colon
Articles
Most recent articles on Sigmoid colon Most cited articles on Sigmoid colon Review articles on Sigmoid colon Articles on Sigmoid colon in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Sigmoid colon Images of Sigmoid colon Photos of Sigmoid colon Podcasts & MP3s on Sigmoid colon Videos on Sigmoid colon
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Sigmoid colon Bandolier on Sigmoid colon TRIP on Sigmoid colon
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Sigmoid colon at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Sigmoid colon Clinical Trials on Sigmoid colon at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Sigmoid colon NICE Guidance on Sigmoid colon NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Sigmoid colon CDC on Sigmoid colon
Books
Books on Sigmoid colon
News
Sigmoid colon in the news Be alerted to news on Sigmoid colon News trends on Sigmoid colon
Commentary
Blogs on Sigmoid colon
Definitions
Definitions of Sigmoid colon
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Sigmoid colon Discussion groups on Sigmoid colon Patient Handouts on Sigmoid colon Directions to Hospitals Treating Sigmoid colon Risk calculators and risk factors for Sigmoid colon
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Sigmoid colon Causes & Risk Factors for Sigmoid colon Diagnostic studies for Sigmoid colon Treatment of Sigmoid colon
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Sigmoid colon
International
Sigmoid colon en Espanol Sigmoid colon en Francais
Business
Sigmoid colon in the Marketplace Patents on Sigmoid colon
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Sigmoid colon

Overview

The sigmoid colon (pelvic colon; sigmoid flexure) forms a loop which averages about 40 cm. in length, and normally lies within the pelvis, but on account of its freedom of movement it is liable to be displaced into the abdominal cavity.

Path

It begins at the superior aperture of the lesser pelvis, where it is continuous with the iliac colon, and passes transversely across the front of the sacrum to the right side of the pelvis.

It then curves on itself and turns toward the left to reach the middle line at the level of the third piece of the sacrum, where it bends downward and ends in the rectum. According to Isaac Asimov's book The Human Body, the name sigmoid means "S-shaped."

Coverings

It is completely surrounded by peritoneum, which forms a mesentery (sigmoid mesocolon), which diminishes in length from the center toward the ends of the loop, where it disappears, so that the loop is fixed at its junctions with the iliac colon and rectum, but enjoys a considerable range of movement in its central portion.

Relations

Behind the sigmoid colon are the external iliac vessels, the left Piriformis, and left sacral plexus of nerves.

In front, it is separated from the bladder in the male, and the uterus in the female, by some coils of the small intestine.

Additional images

• 

  Intestines

• 

  Sigmoid colon and rectum, showing distribution of branches of inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses.

• 

  Iliac colon, sigmoid or pelvic colon, and rectum seen from the front, after removal of pubic bones and bladder.

• 

  Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment.

External links

• Template:EMedicineDictionary
• Template:SUNYAnatomyFigs - "The large intestine."
• Template:NormanAnatomy