Final answer:
The large intestine connects with the small intestine at the cecum, with the ileocecal valve managing the flow of chyme. It is structurally larger in diameter than the small intestine and is responsible for water absorption and feces formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The large intestine connects with the small intestine at the cecum. The connection between these two is regulated by the ileocecal valve, which controls the flow of chyme from the small intestine into the large intestine. The cecum is the first part of the large intestine, directly receiving the chyme from the ileum, the longest part of the small intestine. After the cecum, the large intestine continues as the colon, consisting of the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid sections, and ends in the rectum, storing feces before they are eliminated through the anus.
Structurally, the large intestine is wider and shorter than the small intestine, and notably, about twice the diameter, measuring roughly 3 inches. It frames the small intestine on three sides and is an essential component in the absorption of water from the waste and the formation of feces. The process of water reabsorption converts the waste from a liquid to a solid state as it progresses through the large intestine.