Full Body Colon of an Obese Black Male, Gross Anatomy

Description

Anterior full-body surface anatomy is paired with a transparent overlay of the large intestine in a standing obese Black adult male. The ascending colon tracks superiorly along the right lateral abdominal wall to a hepatic (right colic) flexure positioned high beneath the inferior margin of the liver, then continues as the transverse colon across the upper abdomen toward a splenic (left colic) flexure elevated near the spleen and left hemidiaphragm. From there, the descending colon courses inferiorly along the left flank into the sigmoid colon within the left lower quadrant, leading to the rectum in the midline pelvis. Mesenteric contour and abdominal wall thickness are suggested by the habitus, but the colon remains the focal structure. A high-riding hepatic and splenic flexure matters when you are teaching variability in colonic topography and the effect of body habitus on physical examination and procedural planning. Colonoscopy navigation often becomes more challenging at the flexures, where angulation and redundancy can contribute to looping and patient discomfort, and an elevated splenic flexure is a relevant landmark when correlating left upper quadrant pain, diaphragmatic irritation, or postoperative referred shoulder pain. This arrangement also frames where air-fluid levels, colonic distension, or a mass might project on abdominal radiographs in the upright position. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and GI modules to anchor terms like right colic flexure, left colic flexure, transverse colon, and sigmoid colon to realistic surface anatomy in an obese adult male. It also fits clinical education materials on colonoscopy technique, radiology teaching files for abdominal topography, and patient-facing explanations of where the bowel sits relative to the ribs and pelvis. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.