Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What function does the rectum serve?

1. Stores urine

2. Stores fecal matter

3. Produces digestive enzymes

4. Absorbs nutrients

The correct answer is: Stores fecal matter

The rectum serves as the final section of the large intestine and has a primary function of storing fecal matter until it is ready to be expelled from the body. It acts as a temporary holding area for waste products that have already been processed and formed into stool. As fecal matter fills the rectum, stretch receptors send signals to the brain that indicate the need for a bowel movement, prompting the body to expel the contents. The other functions mentioned do not pertain to the rectum. The storage of urine is the role of the bladder, while the production of digestive enzymes occurs primarily in the pancreas and salivary glands. Nutrient absorption primarily takes place in the small intestine, where most of the digestion process is completed. Thus, the rectum’s specific role of storing fecal matter underscores its importance in the body’s waste elimination process.