Abstract
Since an effective method for measuring the length of the large intestine has not been established, only the estimated value is known. We measured the length and the internal diameter of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum by using X-ray of an air-contrast barium enema and paper tape. 232 patients (120 men and 112 women), whose ages varied from 18 to 86, were used in the analysis. The correlation between these values and the ptosis of the transverse colon, the elevation of the sigmoid colon and any chief complaint as well as sex, height, weight, and obesity index were analyzed. The length of the large intestine had no relation to height, weight, obesity index, abdominal pain, and anal bleeding, but had a correlation with sex, age, ptosis of the transverse colon, the elevation of the sigmoid colon, constipation, and gas distress. In the transverse colon and sigmoid colon, the internal diameter had a positive correlation with height and weight, and a negative correlation with age. The internal diameter of the sigmoid colon was smaller in women than in men.
