| 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[1] |
| 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.[2]
- ^ Nosek, Thomas M. "Section 6/6ch2/s6ch2_30". Essentials of Human Physiology. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24.
- ^ Harkins, JM; Sajjad, H. "Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Sigmoid Colon". National Center for Biotechnology Information. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island, FL. Retrieved 31 January 2024.