Final answer:
The large intestine comprises the cecum, colon (with its subdivisions of ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon), and rectum, which work together to absorb water, house beneficial bacteria, and facilitate waste removal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The large intestine is a crucial part of the digestive system, consisting of the cecum, colon, and rectum. The cecum is the initial section where the ileum of the small intestine connects and serves as the receiving area for waste. From there, the colon begins and is divided into four segments: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. These regions absorb water and mineral salts from undigested food and provide a habitat for beneficial intestinal flora that assist in digestion and vitamin synthesis. The process is facilitated by goblet cells in the mucosa, which secrete mucus to ease feces passage. Lastly, the rectum stores fecal matter until it is expelled through the anus, following the activation of the defecation reflex upon feces entry into the rectum.