Chapter 94 Rectum, Anus and Perineum Flashcards
Name 4 proposed locations for transition from colon to rectum
- Pelvic inlet
- Pubic brim
- Where cranial rectal artery penetrates serosa
- L7
What is the difference between intra-peritoneal and retroperitoneal part of rectum?
Retroperitoneal part doesnt have serosal layer
Which artery provides the majority of the blood supply to terminal colon and rectum in the dog
Cranial rectal (branch of caudal mesenteric artery)

Label the diagram


How does blood supply to caudal colon and rectum differ between dogs and cats
Middle and caudal rectal arteries supply variable and relatively insignificant amounts in dogs, whereas in cats, intrapelvic rectum is adequately supplied by middle and cudal rectal arteries.
Where is the anal canal?
- Between termination of rectum and anus
- 1-2cm long
- Surrounded by internal and external sphincter m
Label the diagram.

- The columnar zone contains longitudinal or oblique ridges, known as anal columns, which extend caudally for approximately 7 mm.
- The intermediate zone is an irregular, sharp-edged fold, less than 1 mm wide, that unites with the anal columns. The fold is divided into four arches that give it a scalloped appearance and contain large pockets known as anal sinuses.
- The anocutaneous line is considered the boundary between the mucous membrane and the skin, but it cannot be differentiated from the intermediate zone.
- The cutaneous zone is divided into internal and external portions, and the plane separating the two is considered the anus.

What is the difference in epithelium cranial vs caudal to anorectal line?
Anal canal lined by stratified squamous epithelium (because deveops from invagination of surface ectoderm)
Rectum has simple columnar epithelium
Anorectal line is demarcation of this transition
Where do the anal sac canals open
Internal portion of cutaneous zone of anus.
What is another word for anal sacs?
Para-anal sinus
Where are teh anal sacs located?
Between internal and external sphincter muscles
What kind of epithelium of in anal sacs?
Stratified squamous
What is the perineal fascia
What is the perineal body?
Perineal fascia: Convergence of fascia from tail, pelvic region, thighs
Perineal body: Region where fascia unites on midline, bwteen anus and vulva/bub of penis
What structures make up the pelvic diaphragm?
- Pelvic fascia
- Coccygeus
- Levator ani
What glands sit around the anus and what glands are present in the anal sacs?
Glands sitting peri-anally:
- Circumanal glands: Superficial sebaceous part, deeper non-sebaceous. Regress in females
- Apocrine glands
- Sweat glands
- Anal glands = tubuloalveolar glands that produce fatty secretions
Glands within anal sacs:
- Paranal sac glands: Produce anal sac fluid
- Sebaceous glands
What muscle form the internal anal sphincter?
Cicular smooth muscle of anal canal
What other muscle do external anal sphinter fibres blend with ventrally in male vs female dog?
Male: Bulbospongiosus muscle
Female: Constrictor valvae

What muscle sits dorsally over anus?
Rectococcygeus

What nerve provides motor innervation to the external anal sphincter?
And sensory innervation?
Which nerve is it a branch of?
- Caudal rectal nerve supplies motor innervation
- Perineal branch of pudendal nerve provides sensory innervation
Branches of pudendal nerve (the motor nerve!)
(Pelvic = parasympathetic, hypogastric = sympathetic)

Label the diagram


Comment on mechanical pre-op bowel prep.
No benefit, potentially detrimental (increased leakage)
What is estimated bacterial load of faeces in rectum?
What proportion are anaerobes?
109 bacteria/gram
90% anaerobes
What antibiotic class is recommended for rectal surgery
Cephalosporins as good activity against both gram +ve and -ve and some anaerobes.
+ metronidazole for anerobic cover
What are the 4 approaches to the rectum?
- Ventral
- Pelvic symphysiotomy
- Pubic + ischial osteotomy
- Pubic osteotomy
- Dorsal
- Lateral
- Caudal
- Transcutaneous rectal pull-through
- Transanal rectal pull-through
- Rectal eversion
- (Combined abdominal + transanal)
















