The colon and the rectum are part of the digestive tract that processes the food we eat. Together they make up the large intestine or large bowel (illustration right) and are located in the abdomen between the small intestine and the anus.

The colon is about 1.8m long and absorbs water and salt from food. The rectum is the last segment of the large intestine and is about 12-15cm long. This is where waste material is stored before it passes out of the body through the anus.