Which colon segment is the descending colon?

Which colon segment is the descending colon?

• A. Transverse colon
• B. Ascending colon
• C. Hepatic flexure
• D. Descending colon

Answer: (D)

The descending colon is the part of the large intestine that travels downward along the left side of the abdomen, from the splenic flexure to the sigmoid colon. This left-side, downward path distinguishes it from the other segments: the transverse colon runs horizontally across the upper abdomen, the ascending colon runs up the right side, and the hepatic flexure is the bend where the ascending colon meets the transverse colon near the liver. So, describing a left‑sided, downward portion corresponds to the descending colon.

The descending colon is the part of the large intestine that travels downward along the left side of the abdomen, from the splenic flexure to the sigmoid colon. This left-side, downward path distinguishes it from the other segments: the transverse colon runs horizontally across the upper abdomen, the ascending colon runs up the right side, and the hepatic flexure is the bend where the ascending colon meets the transverse colon near the liver. So, describing a left‑sided, downward portion corresponds to the descending colon.