Which statement about the size of the large intestine is accurate?

• A. Colon is 10-12 ft in length, 1-2 cm in diameter
• B. Colon is 5-6 ft in length, 2.5-5.5 cm in diameter, largest at the cecum
• C. Colon is 3-4 ft long, 10 cm in diameter
• D. The colon is not measurable

Answer: (B)

Understanding the typical size range of the large intestine helps you confirm accurate anatomical measurements. In adults, the large intestine runs about five feet in length, and its lumen diameter generally falls around 2.5 to 5.5 cm, with the widest part typically at the beginning (the cecum). This description matches a colon described as roughly 5–6 feet long, 2.5–5.5 cm in diameter, and widest at the cecum.

Other options describe implausible measurements for the colon: one suggests an unrealistically long length with a very narrow diameter, another proposes a short length with an abnormally large diameter, and one claims it can’t be measured.