Hindgut

The hindgut (or epigaster) is the posterior (caudal) part of the alimentary canal. In mammals, it includes the distal one third of the transverse colon and the splenic flexure, the descending colon, sigmoid colon and up to the ano-rectal junction. In zoology, the term hindgut refers also to the cecum and ascending colon.

Hindgut
Profile view of a human embryo estimated at twenty or twenty-one days old. (Hindgut labeled at lower left.)
Primitive kidney and bladder, from a reconstruction. (Hindgut labeled at upper left.)
Details
Carnegie stage	10
Precursor	Mesenchyme
Gives rise to	Transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum
Identifiers
Latin	metenteron
TE	E5.4.9.0.2.0.1
FMA	45618
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Blood supply

Arterial supply is by the inferior mesenteric artery, and venous drainage is to the portal venous system. Lymphatic drainage is to the chyle cistern.

Nerve supply

The hindgut is innervated via the inferior mesenteric plexus. Sympathetic innervation is from the lumbar splanchnic nerves (L1-L2), parasympathetic innervation is from S2-S4.

Development

Further information: Development of the digestive system

Additional images

• 
  Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery. Human embryo of six weeks.
• 
  Tail end of human embryo twenty-five to twenty-nine days old.
• 
  Metenteron in the milliped Illacme plenipes.

See also

• Hindgut fermentation

External links

• digest-035—Embryo Images at University of North Carolina