TABLE 1

Patterns of Colonic Transit

Rapid transit	Activity is distributed throughout colon within 12 h and most activity is excreted within 24 h.
Intermediate transit	Most activity has accumulated in cecum within 12 h. Activity is excreted within 27–48 h.
Generalized delay	No activity is excreted within 3 d, and activity is distributed throughout colon with no particular region of storage.
Right-sided delay	No activity is excreted within 3 d, and most activity remains in ascending and transverse colon for this time.
Left-sided delay	Activity reaches descending colon and rectum by 27–34 h, but activity remains in rectosigmoid colon for 3 d with no fecal excretion.