Which part of the digestive system includes the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal?

The large intestine is the correct choice because it encompasses several vital structures that are involved in the absorption of water and electrolytes, as well as the formation and excretion of feces. Specifically, the cecum is the initial segment, leading into the ascending colon, which continues upward along the right side of the abdomen. This is followed by the transverse colon, which crosses the abdomen from right to left, then descends through the descending colon, and finally transitions into the sigmoid colon, which leads into the rectum. The rectum serves as a temporary storage site for feces before they are expelled through the anal canal.

In contrast, the small intestine is primarily responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption and includes structures such as the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The esophagus is a muscular tube that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach, while the stomach is involved in the initial processing of food through mechanical and chemical means, breaking it down into a semi-liquid state before it enters the small intestine. Each of these systems has its distinct functions, which highlights why the large intestine is specifically characterized by the structures mentioned in the question.