The descending colon runs down the left side of the abdomen from the left colic flexure to the pelvic brim, about 25 cm long. Like the ascending colon, it is fixed to the posterior abdominal wall and covered by peritoneum on its front and sides. The left paracolic gutter lies along its outer side.
| Location | Left side of the abdomen, from the left colic flexure to the pelvic brim, in front of the left kidney, quadratus lumborum and iliacus |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Pelvic splanchnic nerves, S2-S4 (parasympathetic); Lumbar splanchnic nerves via the inferior mesenteric plexus (sympathetic) |
| Blood Supply | Left colic artery; Upper sigmoid arteries |
| Venous drainage |
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| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Stores and dehydrates faeces and passes them on to the sigmoid colon.
It belongs to the hindgut, so its blood comes from the inferior mesenteric artery and its pain is felt in the lower abdomen. Left-sided colon cancers narrow a lumen carrying firmer stool and so tend to cause a change in bowel habit or obstruction. It is mobilised along its lateral peritoneal attachment in left hemicolectomy.
Adenocarcinoma of the descending colon that often presents with altered bowel habit, rectal bleeding or large bowel obstruction.
Inflammation of diverticula in the descending colon causing left-sided abdominal pain and fever.
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