anal canal
Final digestive exit
The anal canal is the terminal portion of the large intestine, extending from the rectum to the anus.
It is about an inch and a half long and serves as the passageway through which feces exit the body.
The canal contains sphincter muscles that control bowel movements.
Terminal intestinal chamber
- anusPosterior digestive opening
- sphincterMuscle encircling body opening
- colonLarge intestine section
- pelvic floorMuscles supporting abdominal organs
Expulsion of feces
- bowel movementFecal discharge from body
- continenceControl over bodily functions
- stoolBackless sitting furniture
- fecesSolid digestive waste
elimination · voiding · evacuation · straining · bearing down · relaxation · contraction · sensation
Study of rectal disorders
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- proctoscopyVisual rectal canal inspection
- anoscopyVisual exam of anus
- rectal examinationInternal bowel inspection
endoscopy · manometry · biopsy · gastroenterology · digital exam · sigmoidoscopy · suppository · enema
Swollen anal blood vessels
- fissureNarrow crack in rock
- fistulaAberrant anatomical channel
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- prolapseOrgan slipping from place
incontinence · polyps · proctitis · stenosis · thrombosis · skin tags · rectal bleeding · Crohn's disease
rectum
Terminal intestinal chamber
pelvic floor · mucosa · gastrointestinal · digestive tract · peristalsis
defecation
Expulsion of feces
- bowel movementFecal discharge from body
- continenceControl over bodily functions
- stoolBackless sitting furniture
feces · elimination · voiding · evacuation · straining · bearing down · relaxation · contraction · sensation · urgency
proctology
Study of rectal disorders
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- proctoscopyVisual rectal canal inspection
- anoscopyVisual exam of anus
rectal examination · endoscopy · manometry · biopsy · gastroenterology · digital exam · sigmoidoscopy · suppository · enema · hemorrhoidectomy
hemorrhoids
Swollen anal blood vessels
prolapse · incontinence · polyps · proctitis · stenosis · thrombosis · skin tags · rectal bleeding · Crohn's disease · ulcerative colitis