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question

What is a redundant or tortuous colon?

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
Internal Medicine
answer
The colon is essentially a tube, about five feet long, that connects the small intestine to the anus. It receives undigested food and secretions from the small intestine and converts these to solid feces by absorbing almost all the fluid that enters it.

The part of the colon lying in the left side of the abdominal cavity bends into a loop. Because of its shape, it is called the sigmoid colon. Some people have colons with multiple coils. This gives them a more twisted configuration. These are sometimes referred to as "tortuous" or "redundant" colons.

These twisted colons may pose a challenge for the person doing a colonoscopy. (It may be hard to traverse the organ to its full length.) But colons like these have no health implications. Specifically, there is no hard evidence to suggest that a tortuous colon is a cause of constipation.
Harvard Medical School The Sensitive Gut

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Harvard Medical School The Sensitive Gut

DO YOU EXPERIENCE FREQUENT STOMACHACHES OR EXCESSIVE GAS AFTER EATING? DOES EATING A SIMPLE MEAL LEAVE YOU WITH A FEELING OF HEARTBURN? DO CONSTIPATION AND DIARRHEA PLAGUE YOUR LIFE? If you answered...

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.