The ascending colon is a part of the large intestine that connects the cecum to the transverse colon. It is located on the right side of the abdomen and plays a crucial role in the digestive process by absorbing water and salts from the waste material. As food passes through the digestive system, the ascending colon helps to form solid waste. It is approximately 20 centimeters long and is one of the four main sections of the large intestine, along with the transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.