Haustra are the series of pouches or sacculations along the colon, produced because the taeniae coli are shorter than the bowel wall. Neighbouring haustra are separated by crescent-shaped semilunar folds that project into the lumen. They change shape constantly as the colon contracts.
| Location | Along the caecum and colon between the taeniae coli; absent in the rectum |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Enteric nervous system; Autonomic supply of the colon |
Allow segmental mixing contractions that slow transit and maximise water absorption.
On X-ray, the haustral folds of a dilated colon do not cross the full width of the bowel, which helps distinguish large from small bowel obstruction. Loss of haustra gives a smooth lead pipe colon in long-standing ulcerative colitis.
Featureless colon with loss of haustra on imaging, seen after long-standing ulcerative colitis.
Blockage of the colon causing dilatation with haustral markings, most often from cancer, volvulus or diverticular stricture.
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