Which hollow organ includes the colon and rectum and occupies the outer border of the abdomen?

• A. Small intestine
• B. Large intestine
• C. Stomach
• D. Appendix

Answer: (B)

Hollow organs and their position in the abdomen matter for where they sit and what they contain. The large intestine is the organ that includes the colon and rectum. It runs along the outer border of the abdominal cavity, framing the central space where the small intestine sits. That framing makes it the peripheral hollow organ you’re identifying when asked which structure contains the colon and rectum. The colon and rectum are major sections of the large intestine, which is also responsible for absorbing water and forming stool. By contrast, the stomach sits higher in the abdomen, the small intestine largely fills the central area, and the appendix is a small extension off the cecum rather than the organ that contains the colon and rectum.