The hindgut (or epigaster) is the posterior ( caudal) part of the alimentary canal. In mammals, it includes the distal one third of the

transverse colon In human anatomy, the transverse colon is the longest and most movable part of the Large intestine#Structure, colon. Anatomical position It crosses the abdomen from the ascending colon at the right colic flexure (hepatic flexure) with a downward ...

and the

splenic flexure In the anatomy of the human digestive tract, there are two colic flexures, or curvatures in the transverse colon. The right colic flexure is also known as the hepatic flexure, and the left colic flexure is also known as the splenic flexure. St ...

, the

descending colon In the anatomy of humans and homologous primates, the descending colon is the part of the colon extending from the left colic flexure to the level of the iliac crest (whereupon it transitions into the sigmoid colon). The function of the descen ...

sigmoid colon 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 in length. The loop is typically shaped like a Greek letter sigma (ς) or Latin letter S (thus ''s ...

and up to the ano-rectal junction. In

zoology Zoology ( , ) is the scientific study of animals. Its studies include the anatomy, structure, embryology, Biological classification, classification, Ethology, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinction, extinct, and ...

, the term ''hindgut'' refers also to the

cecum The cecum ( caecum, ; plural ceca or caeca, ) is a pouch within the peritoneum that is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It is typically located on the right side of the body (the same side of the body as the appendix (a ...

and

ascending colon In the anatomy of humans and homologous primates, the ascending colon is the part of the colon located between the cecum and the transverse colon. Characteristics and structure The ascending colon is smaller in calibre than the cecum from wh ...

Structure

Blood supply

Arterial supply is by the

inferior mesenteric artery In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal. The region ...

, and venous drainage is to the portal venous system. Lymphatic drainage is to the chyle cistern.

Nerve supply

The hindgut is innervated via the inferior mesenteric plexus. Sympathetic innervation is from the

lumbar splanchnic nerves The lumbar splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that arise from the lumbar ganglia (the lumbar part of the sympathetic trunk) and travel to an adjacent plexus near the aorta. They originate from L1 and L2. Together with fibres from the aorti ...

(L1-L2), parasympathetic innervation is from S2-S4.

Development

Additional images

File:Gray985.png, Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery. Human embryo of six weeks. File:Gray1115.png, Tail end of human embryo twenty-five to twenty-nine days old. File:Illacme plenipes female with 170 segments and 662 legs (SPC000931) - ZooKeys-241-077-g006.jpeg, Metenteron in the milliped '' Illacme plenipes''.

External links