Cecum

The cecum or caecum is a pouch, usually peritoneal, that is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It receives fecal material from the ileum, and connects to the ascending colon of the large intestine. It is separated from the ileum by the ileocecal valve (ICV) or Bauhin's valve. It is also separated from the colon by the cecocolic junction. The appendix is connected to the cecum. While the cecum is usually peritoneal, the ascending colon is retroperitoneal. The cecum embodies a large number of bacteria that help in digestion of plant materials, mostly cellulose, that remains undigested in the stomach and small intestine. This is done by the process of fermentation that helps in breaking down the plant fibers. The nutrients from cellulose are later absorbed by the large intestine. One of the cecum functions is absorption of salts and electrolyte, mostly sodium and potassium, back into the body. The cecum is made of muscle tissues, that churn the food waste. These salts are necessary to maintain the electrolytic balance in the body and so, are absorbed from the intestine. Also, the solid waste that is passed to the cecum from the small intestine, is lubricated by the cecum. The liquids are almost totally absorbed in the large intestine and to pass the solid waste along the large intestine easily so, it becomes extremely important to lubricate it.

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