The large intestine is located in the abdomen. Its upper end connects with the small intestine via the ileocecum or "railing portal", and its lower end is the anus, or "daring portal.. "Its physiological functions are to convey and transfom the waste into feces to be excreted. The large intestine receives material sent down form the small intestine, and further absorbs the partial fluid in it. It transforms the remainder into feces, which are to be discharged from the body through the anus. Thus Chapter 8 in Plain Questions states: "The large intestine is the transporting official who is in charge of transforming and passing the matter. " Transportation of the waste relies on the normal function of the large intestine, as well as domination of the stomach in sending digested food downward, the depurative descending function of the lung, and transforming function of the kidney-qi. So, disorders of the large intestine mainly manifest in excretion of the feces, with such symptoms as diarrhea or constipation. Additionally, dysfunction of the large intestine may disturb the physiological function of the stomach and lung resulting in different pathological changes.
