What Does The Splenic Flexure Do?

What does the splenic flexure do? Why Is the Splenic Flexure Important? Many blood vessels come together at the splenic flexure, so the area is

important for blood flow

. Injuries to the colon near the splenic flexure can cause blood loss or low blood pressure. Since the splenic flexure is a bend in the colon, gas can build up in that area.

What causes splenic flexure pain?

Splenic flexure syndrome occurs when

gas builds up or becomes trapped in your colon

. Thought to be the primary cause of this condition, gas accumulation causes trapped air to push on the inner lining of your stomach and digestive tract. As a result, pressure can build on surrounding organs, causing pain and discomfort.

How common is splenic flexure?

Splenic flexure volvulus (SFV) is a

very rare

condition that is unlikely to be suspected even when a patient has repeated episodes of abdominal pain and dyschezia. We describe the case of SFV diagnosed and treated laparoscopically in the non-volvulus condition.

What does the colon become at the splenic flexure?

Splenic flexure and the descending colon

It turns downwards as the descending colon

, which, like the ascending colon, is retroperitoneal. The descending colon lies on the posterior abdominal wall muscles and is closely related to the left ureter.

How painful is splenic flexure syndrome?

This pain can often be mistaken as a heart attack.

Splenic flexure abdominal pain has been described as being severe and lasting for a few minutes, recurring many times for weeks or months

. Abdominal distension: This is mainly due to over accumulation of gas in the splenic flexure.

Can you get diverticulitis in the splenic flexure?

The distribution of diverticula differs significantly according to race. Among white persons, 75% of diverticula were located in the sigmoid colon,

11% in the descending colon or splenic flexure

, 6% in the transverse colon, and 8% in the ascending colon or hepatic flexure [9].

Is splenic flexure syndrome rare?

Splenic flexure volvulus (SFV) is

a rare condition of colonic obstruction

and is the least common site of the colon to develop volvulus, comprising 2% of colonic volvulus [

²

]. SFV was first reported in 1953 by Glazer and Adlersberg et al.

Is splenic flexure cancerous?

Introduction. Splenic flexure cancer (SFC) is defined as a colon cancer situated in the distal third of the transverse colon, or in the left colonic corner, or in the proximal descending colon within 10 cm from the flexure

¹

. It is relatively rare and represent only 1–8% of all colon cancers

^{2 , 3}

.

Which body parts does the splenic flexure connect?

The left colic flexure or splenic flexure (as it is close to the spleen) is the sharp bend between

the transverse colon and the descending colon

.

What are warning signs of the spleen?

• Pain in the upper left abdomen.
• Tenderness when you touch the upper left abdomen.
• Left shoulder pain.
• Confusion, lightheadedness or dizziness.

What does splenic flexure syndrome feel like?

The symptoms of splenic flexure syndrome include

bloating, pain in the upper left abdomen, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen

. Causes. People with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, are most likely to have splenic flexure syndrome, with some experts even considering it to be a type of IBS.

How can you tell if you have splenic flexure during colonoscopy?

1. The passing of the splenic flexure is usually tackled with the patient in supine position (fig. …
2. The achieved passing of the flexure is confirmed by the visualization of the triangular-shaped lumen which is characteristic of the transverse colon (Fig. …
3. Standard Colonoscope.

What is splenic flexure colitis?

The splenic flexure is

the name of a bend in the colon, near your spleen

. It’s located on the left side of the abdomen. Other types of ulcerative colitis include: proctitis, in which inflammation is limited to the rectum. pancolitis, which causes inflammation throughout the whole colon.

What is a splenic flexure takedown?

Introduction: Take down of the splenic flexure is

a crucial part of laparoscopic anterior resection

. It allows a tension-free anastomosis and a proper exteriorisation of the specimen with the ligated origins of the inferior mesenteric vessels through a minilaparotomy located in the lower abdomen.

Can colon cause pain on left side?

Symptoms. It may be challenging to know when pain is coming from the colon.

The colon is located in the abdomen and runs up the right side, across the abdomen, and down the left side

. For that reason, pain coming from the colon could cause pain in different parts of the abdomen.

What causes gas to get trapped in your intestines?

Gas in your stomach is primarily caused by

swallowing air when you eat or drink

. Most stomach gas is released when you burp. Gas forms in your large intestine (colon) when bacteria ferment carbohydrates — fiber, some starches and some sugars — that aren’t digested in your small intestine.

How do you mobilize your splenic flexure?

Although splenic flexure mobilization occasionally looks complicated, it consists of five simple procedures: 1, division of the line of Toldt (dividing the lateral peritoneal attachment); 2, division of the gastrocolic ligament (dividing the greater omentum and transverse colon, then entering the lesser sac); 3, …

Can spleen problems cause constipation?

Other symptoms may include a bulging abdominal mass, constipation, bloating, nausea, vomiting, frequent difficult urination, and/or menstrual problems in women

. In some cases, the spleen may lack proper blood supply due to the twisting of the splenic arteries.

What is Chilaiditi syndrome?

Chilaiditi’s syndrome is

a rare condition in which a portion of the colon is abnormally located (interposed) in between the liver and the diaphragm

. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Which way do you rub your stomach to help with gas?

Start on the right side of your stomach down by the bone of your pelvis. Rub in a circular motion lightly up to the right side till you reach your rib bones. Move straight across to the left side. Work your way down to the left to the hip bone and back up to the belly button for 2-3 minutes.

What is the left splenic flexure?

Left colic flexure (or splenic flexure) is

the bend in the large intestine in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen as the transverse colon continues as the descending colon

. The phrenicocolic ligament attaches the splenic flexure to the left hemidiaphragm. It lies more cranial than the right colic flexure.

What is a left colectomy?

Background. Left hemicolectomy (left colectomy) is

the surgical removal of the left side of the large bowel

(see the first figure below); sigmoid colectomy is the surgical removal of the sigmoid colon (see the second figure below).

What is sigmoidoscopy procedure?

A sigmoidoscopy may also be used

to take a tissue sample or biopsy

. And it can be used to remove polyps or hemorrhoids (swollen veins in your rectum and anus). It is also a screening test for colon cancer and rectal cancer. A sigmoidoscopy is performed using a thin, flexible tube called a sigmoidoscope.

How much colon can be removed?

Usually,

about one-fourth to one-third of the colon is removed

, depending on the size and location of the cancer. The remaining sections of colon are then reattached. At least 12 nearby lymph nodes are also removed so they can be checked for cancer. If all of the colon is removed, it’s called a total colectomy.

Can IBS cause pain under right rib?

Other IBS pain tends to hit when you’re stressed, cover wider areas, and have a cramping feel to it. Can you have gas pain in your back or under the ribs?

Yes, gas pain can be felt away from the site of the trapped gas. It can cause pain under the ribs or in your back.

Can gas get trapped in lower left abdomen?

Symptoms of trapped gas

Your stomach may be bloated and you may have stomach cramps.

Pain from gas that collects on the left side of your colon can radiate up to your chest

. You may think this is a heart attack. Gas that collects on the right side of the colon can feel like it might be appendicitis or gallstones.

What does an inflamed spleen feel like?

Spleen pain is usually felt as

a pain behind your left ribs

. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.

What foods irritate the spleen?

• Sugary Foods. If you consume food items that are high in sugar, then these can influence your general immune system negatively and they are also harmful to your spleen. …
• Alcohol. …
• Caffeine. …
• Diet Sodas. …
• Processed Oils. …
• Fast Foods. …
• Cold Foods. …
• Cooked Vegetables.

What organ is behind the left rib cage?

Your spleen

is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen.

What is a good antispasmodic?

Where does gas usually get trapped?

Your body releases gas through the mouth (belching) or rectum (flatulence). Sometimes gas gets trapped in

the stomach

. This gas buildup causes abdominal pain and bloating (a swollen or tight feeling).

How far up colon does colonoscopy go?

Colonoscopy is similar to sigmoidoscopy—the difference being related to which parts of the colon each can examine. A colonoscopy allows an examination of the entire colon (

1200–1500 mm in length

).

What is the new procedure for a colonoscopy?

Virtual colonoscopy

is a special X-ray examination of the colon using low dose computed tomography (CT). It is a less invasive procedure than a conventional colonoscopy. A radiologist reviews the images from the virtual colonoscopy to look for polyps on the inside of the colon that can sometimes turn into colon cancer.

What 4 parts of the colon are viewed during a colonoscopy?

Ascending colon: extends upward on the right side of your belly. Transverse colon: extends from the ascending colon across your body to the left side. Descending colon: extends from the transverse colon downward on your left side. Sigmoid colon: extends from the descending colon to your rectum.

What does left-sided colitis pain feel like?

Many people with the condition experience what’s known as left-sided colitis, where the pain and inflammation occur on their left side, from the rectum up to the descending colon.

Cramps can also be accompanied by bloating and gas, which cause a feeling of pressure and knotting in your abdomen

.

What are the symptoms of left-sided colitis?

• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Diarrhoea with blood and mucus.
• Urgency to empty bowels.
• Tenesmus – feeling the need to pass stools despite bowel being empty.
• Severe pain on left side of abdomen.