Sigmoid colon
| Sigmoid colon | |
|---|---|
Drawing of colon seen from front (sigmoid colon coloured blue) | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Hindgut |
| Part of | Large intestine |
| System | Digestive system |
| Artery | Sigmoid branches of inferior mesenteric artery, sigmoid arteries, internal iliac artery |
| Nerve | Inferior mesenteric ganglia and sacral nerve |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | colon sigmoideum |
| MeSH | D012809 |
| TA98 | A05.7.03.007 |
| TA2 | 2987 |
| FMA | 14548 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
| Major parts of the |
| Gastrointestinal tract |
|---|
The sigmoid colon (or pelvic colon) is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus. It forms a loop that averages about 35–40 centimetres (14–16 in) in length. The loop is typically shaped like a Greek letter sigma (ς) or Latin letter S (thus sigma + -oid). This part of the colon normally lies within the pelvis, but due to its freedom of movement it is liable to be displaced into the abdominal cavity.