Where is volvulus, a twisting of the bowel, most commonly found?

Volvulus occurs when a section of the bowel twists around itself and the mesentery, which can lead to obstruction and compromise blood supply to the affected area. The most common sites for volvulus are the sigmoid colon and the cecum.

The sigmoid colon is particularly prone to volvulus due to its mobility and the fact that it has a longer mesentery compared to other parts of the colon. When this segment twists, it can obstruct the passage of stool and impede blood flow, leading to ischemia if not promptly treated. The cecum, being another highly mobile portion of the intestine connected to the ileum, also has a tendency to undergo volvulus.

In contrast, while the ascending and descending colon, ileum and jejunum, and rectum and anus can experience various gastrointestinal issues, they are not the primary locations where volvulus occurs. The anatomical structure and mobility of the sigmoid colon and cecum play a key role in their susceptibility to this condition.