The colon is the central part of the |large intestine|. Extending from the |cecum| to the |rectum|, it is descriptively subdivided into four parts: the ascending, the ~transverse~, the descending, and the sigmoid colon. The |ascending colon| extends upward from the |cecum| to lead into the ~transverse~ portion. The ~transverse~ extends across the abdominal cavity from the end of the ascending part to lead into the descending section of the colon. The |descending colon| extends from the end of the |transverse colon| to the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon connects the end of the |descending colon| to the |rectum|. The rectal and sigmoid sections are often referred to as the rectosigmoid.