The large intestine, also known as the COLON, is a part of the digestive system that is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from digested food. It is composed of the cecum, the ascending COLON, the transverse COLON, the descending COLON, and the sigmoid COLON. The hindgut is the portion of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum. It is responsible for the absorption of water and electrolytes, as well as the production of hormones and vitamins.