How the bowel works

The bowel

How the bowel works

Food passes from the stomach into the upper part of the bowel. It then passes along the large bowel where fluid is absorbed and the remains of undigested food become poo. When this arrives in the rectum it creates that feeling of fullness we experience when we need to go to the toilet.

A normal poo:

• is soft and easy to pass • does not make you strain • may come several times a day or only once every two to three days (either can be normal).

Stomach