Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which organ is primarily responsible for the absorption of water?

1. Stomach

2. Small intestine

3. Large intestine

4. Liver

The correct answer is: Large intestine

The primary organ responsible for the absorption of water is the large intestine, also known as the colon. As digestive waste moves through the large intestine, a significant portion of water is extracted from the waste material. This process is important for maintaining the body's fluid balance and preventing dehydration. The large intestine absorbs around 90% of the water that is present in the waste products that enter it. This absorption helps to compact the waste into feces, facilitating its elimination from the body. In contrast, the stomach mainly functions in the initial stages of digestion and does not play a significant role in water absorption. The small intestine, while it is primarily involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, does also absorb some water, but its primary role is not focused on water absorption. The liver, on the other hand, is involved in a variety of metabolic processes, including the production of bile and the metabolism of nutrients, but it does not absorb water directly from the digestive tract. Thus, the large intestine is the correct answer, as it has the primary role in absorbing water from waste material.