Taenia coli

Teniae coli
Iliac colon, sigmoid or pelvic colon, and rectum seen from the front, after removal of pubic bones and bladder. (Taenia coli not labeled, but visible at center.)
Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. (Taenia coli not labeled, but visible at right.)
Latin	Taeniae coli
Gray's	subject #249 1186

The teniae coli (also taeniae coli) are three separate longitudinal ribbons of smooth muscle on the outside of the ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colons. They are visible, and can be seen just below the serosa or fibrosa. They are the Mesocolic, Free and Omental Coli. The teniae coli contract lengthwise to produce the haustra, the bulges in the colon.

The bands converge at the root of the vermiform appendix. At the rectosigmoid junction, the taeniae spread out and unite to form longitudinal muscle layer.

These bands correspond to the outer layer of the muscularis externa, in other portions of the digestive tract.

Large bowel (sigmoid colon) with multiple diverticula. These appear on either side of the longitudinal muscle bundle (taenium).

External links

• BU Histology Learning System: 12502loa - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: colon, taeniae coli"
• UIUC Histology Subject 853
• 39:13-0201 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Intestines and Pancreas: Large Intestine"
• SUNY Anatomy Image 8185

• teniae+coli at eMedicine Dictionary