4. Rectum and Anal Canal Flashcards
Muscles layers of the rectal wall?
Complete longitudinal (instead of taenia coli) and circular muscle layers
The lower dilation of the rectum is called the…
Rectal ampulla
What are the rectal concavities
Curvatures on the lateral surface of the rectum. Forms left, right, left rectal folds/valves that are seen internally
The middle one on the RHS is more pronounced.
What are pararectal fossa?
Invaginations of peritoneum on either side of the rectum
Where is the first rectal concavity? Why?
On the left and the sigmoid leads to the rectum from the left
Presence of peritoneum on the rectum?
Upper 1/3: Front and sides
Middle 1/3: Front only
Lower 1/3: None
Rectum anterior relations
Anterior:
Pouch of douglas (Recto-uterine pouch)
Female: Uterus, cervix, vagina, RV rectum
Male: Denonvillier’s fascia (aka recto-vesical pouch), bladder, prostate, urethra, seminal vesicle
Posterior:
Mesorectum
Anococcygeal ligament
Inferior:
Pelvic floor
Lateral:
- Urogenital nerves e.g. pelvic plexus, obturator nerve, pelvic splanchnics
- Ureter
- Urogenital vessels e.g. Superior vesical artery, inferior vesical artery, internal pudendal artery
- Vas deferens
- Prostate palpable in PR
What is the mesorectum?
Location: Posteriorly between reflecting peritoneum, behind rectum Contains: -Superior rectal artery and vein -Lymph nodes -Nerves
What is the change of innervation at the pectinate line in the anal canal?
Embryological and afferent nerve supply changes.
Sensitive to pain below the line
Where is the recto-anal junction?
At the pelvic floor: At the puborectalis and behind the perineal body
Changes in epithelium in anal canal?
Columnar –> stratified squamous –> Skin
Features of the internal sphincter?
Smooth muscle
Autonomic
Derived from circular muscle layer
Ends at intersphincteric groove
Muscle of external sphincter? Parts?
Striated muscle
Deep, superficial and subcutaneous parts (operates as one functional unit though)
Anatomical position of puborectalis?
Part of levator ani
Forms a sling from both pubis’ around the anorectal junction.
This draws it forward anteriorly.
**Important addition to recto-anal continence.
How is the anococcygeal ligament formed?
By fused levator ani
Then attached the anal canal to the coccyx