What is another name for the large intestine?The colon, which is another name for the large intestine, is an important part of the digestive system. The large intestine plays a major role in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including: reabsorbing water and maintaining the body's balance of fluids.The large intestine comprises three main parts: the cecum, a pouch that transition undigested food from the small to the large intestine; the colon, where food goes through the final processes of digestion; and the rectum, where feces are stored until they are passed through the anus.