Sigmoid colon

Sigmoid colon
Drawing of colon seen from front (sigmoid colon coloured blue)
Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for liver, stomach and large intestine
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 [edit on Wikidata]

Major parts of the
Gastrointestinal tract
Upper gastrointestinal tract Mouth Pharynx Esophagus Stomach Duodenum
Lower gastrointestinal tract Small intestine Jejunum Ileum Large intestine Cecum Appendix Ascending colon Transverse colon Descending colon Sigmoid colon Rectum Anus
See also Gastrointestinal wall Human digestive system Anatomical terminology Outline of anatomy
v t e

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]