Beginning in the right groin as the cecum, with its associated appendix, the large intestine continues upward as the ascending colon through the right flank and into the right hypochondrium (Fig. 4.81). Just below the liver, it bends to the left, forming the right colic flexure (hepatic flexure), and crosses the abdomen as the transverse colon to the left hypochondrium. At this position, just below the spleen, the large intestine bends downward, forming the left colic flexure (splenic flexure), and continues as the descending colon through the left flank and into the left groin.