Your colon is just one of the many organs that make up the digestive system. Other digestive-system organs include: tongue, mouth, pharynx, salivary glands, trachea, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, appendix, and rectum.

The colon’s primary task is to convert the liquid left over from digested food into disposable waste.

The billions of friendly bacteria that live in your colon produce vitamin K, some B vitamins, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and methane.

Mucus secreted by the colon lining contains antibodies that protect the colon from disease. If the lining of your colon is covered with uneliminated waste matter, these antibodies cannot properly do their job.

"Transit time" is the length of time it takes food to finish the complete digestive process (from the time you take a bite until your bowels move). Normal transit time should be between 12 and 20 hours.