Teniae coli are distinctive features of the colon, playing a vital role in its function. Specifically, teniae coli are three approximately 8-mm-wide longitudinal smooth muscle bands in the colon wall.
Understanding Teniae Coli
These bands are crucial for the peristaltic movements that propel waste through the colon.
Key Features:
- Location: They run along the colon wall.
- Number: There are three of them.
- Structure: They are parallel and equally distributed.
- Arrangement: They form a triple helix structure from the appendix to the sigmoid colon.
- Composition: They are made of longitudinal smooth muscle.
Function
The teniae coli contract to shorten the colon, aiding in the process of peristalsis. Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of the colon's smooth muscle that moves waste material towards the rectum for elimination.
