Segmental colonic length and mobility

Locoregional variation in the human colon is important in surgical practice; the length and mobility of different colonic regions impacts on laparoscopic and endoscopic colorectal procedures. The aim of this study was to refine anatomical understanding of the colon in terms of segmental length and mobility.

The colons of 35 cadavers were examined to determine lengths of caecum as well as ascending, transverse, descending and rectosigmoid colon, and to characterise colonic mobility at each location in terms of the mesenteric attachments. The presence of Jackson's membrane (a congenital peritoneal band of the right colon) was also documented.

The mean total colonic length was 131.2cm (standard deviation [SD]: 13.4cm). There was no correlation with height, age or sex; the best predictor of total colonic length was the length of the rectosigmoid segment. The mean height of the transverse mesocolon was 7.4cm (SD: 3.6cm) and that of the sigmoid mesocolon was 6.3cm (SD: 2.6cm). Two-thirds of the subjects had a mobile portion of the ascending colon and nearly one-third had a mobile descending colon. A mobile ascending colon was significantly more common in females. Jackson's membrane was present in 66% of the subjects.

This cadaveric study suggests that rectosigmoid length accounts for most of the variability in total colonic length. The significant proportion of colons with mobility of the ascending and descending segments prompts revision of the traditional anatomical teaching of these segments as fixed and retroperitoneal. Mobility of the ascending colon may account for the anecdotal finding that colonoscopy is more challenging in female patients. Jackson's membrane was identified in most colons.