Which colon segment is the ascending colon?

Which colon segment is the ascending colon?

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

Answer: (B)

The segment that travels upward along the right side of the abdomen, from the ileocecal junction to the bend at the liver, is the ascending colon. This portion starts where the ileum ends and continues superiorly until it forms the hepatic flexure, where it turns into the transverse colon. The transverse colon then runs horizontally across the upper abdomen, the hepatic flexure marks the turn from ascending to transverse, and the descending colon continues downward on the left side. So the ascending colon is the right-sided, upward-lying portion that ends at the hepatic flexure.

The segment that travels upward along the right side of the abdomen, from the ileocecal junction to the bend at the liver, is the ascending colon. This portion starts where the ileum ends and continues superiorly until it forms the hepatic flexure, where it turns into the transverse colon. The transverse colon then runs horizontally across the upper abdomen, the hepatic flexure marks the turn from ascending to transverse, and the descending colon continues downward on the left side. So the ascending colon is the right-sided, upward-lying portion that ends at the hepatic flexure.