The alimentary canal includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anal canal. Accessory organs include the salivary glands, the liver, the gallbladder, and the pancreas. The large intestine, or colon, receives chyme from the final segment of the small intestine. The colon serves as the final portion of the alimentary canal. It is about 1.5 meters in length and is referred to as "large" because it has a greater diameter than the small intestine. The colon is designed to absorb water and electrolytes from solid feces. As it progresses through the colon, its consistency changes from a fluid to a semi-solid, and then solid consistency. The key function of the first half of the colon is absorption, while the second half serves primarily as storage.