What is the last segment of the large intestine called?

The last segment of the large intestine is indeed called the rectum. This portion serves as a storage site for fecal matter before it is expelled from the body. The rectum is crucial in the digestive system as it plays a key role in the elimination process. It connects to the anal canal, which is the final part of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to the anus.

The cecum, on the other hand, is the first part of the large intestine where the small intestine empties, functioning as the initial site for the processing of waste materials. The appendix is a small, tube-like structure attached to the cecum and is often regarded as a vestigial organ with no essential role in digestion. The duodenum is part of the small intestine, located just after the stomach, and is primarily responsible for the digestion of food, making it distinct from the functions of the large intestine.