Knowledge about the structure and functionality of the rectum gives a person more opportunities to understand how the diseases of this organ are formed, and to learn how to cure these ailments.
What is the rectum
The rectum is part of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract includes the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines. The size of a thin one is about five meters. It flows into the large intestine, the last section of which is the rectum. Its size is no more than one and a half meters.
The rectum, as the last part of the intestine, is located in the lower part of the pelvis.
It got its name due to the fact that it has slight curves.
An indicator of the he alth of the gastrointestinal tract is the rectum. Its dimensions and length change throughout a person's life.
In the process of removing processed products from the human body, the rectum plays one of the main roles. It also performs an important function during the absorption of liquid.
The condition of the internal organs and systems of the human body depends on how the rectum works.
How long is the human rectum
This question can only be answered approximately. What is the length of the rectum in humans, is determined by age. As we grow older, almost all organs grow. Based on this, one can only approximately answer the question - how long is the rectum. Scientists indicate only average values. The length of the rectum of an adult is from thirteen to twenty-three centimeters. This is one-eighth the size of the lower intestine.
The length of the newborn's rectum is small in relation to the size of other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Doctors, just like adults, know only approximate sizes. Fifty millimeters is the average length of the rectum. Representatives of both sexes of humanity do not have significant differences in size.
Departments of the rectum
At a detailed examination of the structure of the human rectum, three formations are conditionally distinguished:
- Cerineum. It has four borders. Also, this section of the rectum is divided into two triangles. The first of these is the genitourinary. In men, it contains a channel for urination. In women, the vagina is attached to the canal, respectively. In the anal triangle, regardless of gender, is the anus.
- Anus. This is the final part of the gastrointestinal tract and rectum, respectively. The opening of the passage is visually similar to the gap leading to the channel. The appearance of the posterior opening in males and females is different. The male anus is like a funnel. And female - eithercompletely even and flat, or protruding forward.
- Skin around the anus. It differs in color from the rest of the epidermis. Also around the anus, the skin is very wrinkled. The reason for this is the external sphincter. The anus has a diameter of three to six centimeters, a length of up to five. The anus and rectum have blood vessels and nerve endings that allow you to regulate defecation (the process of removing feces) of the body.
Sphincters
There are two sphincters in the rectum - involuntary and arbitrary. The first is inside the body. It serves as a separator between the intermediate flexure and the terminal part of the rectum. The involuntary sphincter consists of muscles located in a circle. Sizes range from one and a half to three and a half centimeters. In men, the involuntary sphincter is thicker than in the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity.
The voluntary sphincter is located outside. It is under human control. The sphincter is a striated muscle that comes from the muscles of the perineum. Size - from twenty-five to fifty millimeters.
Features and length of the rectum in women
Comparing the anatomy of both sexes, there are no colossal differences to be found. The length of the rectum in men and women is the same. The weaker half of humanity, however, has a number of anatomical differences.
In the female body, the rectum is located in close proximity to the vagina, namely, it is located in front of it. Of course, there is a layer between them. Howeverit is so thin that it is not able to resist the migration of purulent and tumor processes from one organ to another.
Due to these female anatomical features, women often suffer from rectovaginal fistulas. They are the result of trauma or severe perineal tears during childbirth.
Functions
The main function of the rectum is to eliminate waste products from the body. The process of defecation is regulated by human consciousness.
The next most important function, after the removal of feces, is the absorption of fluid. About four liters of water per day is returned to the human body during processing, pressing and dehydration of feces. In addition to water, the rectal mucosa absorbs minerals and trace elements and thus reverses them back.
The human rectum also has a reservoir function. This is explained as follows: feces are collected in the ampulla of the intestine. As a result, pressure is exerted on its walls. They stretch, a nerve impulse is given, indicating the need to start a bowel movement.
Due to its importance, the rectum must function normally. She is very sensitive to various kinds of painful sensations and conditions. For example, constipation provokes stagnation of feces. And this, in turn, leads to intoxication of the human body. Also, after fermentation of processed foods, relaxation of the intestines is possible.
Rectal work
As already mentioned, the main taskrectum is the removal of feces, toxins and other harmful substances from the human body. The functionality of the entire digestive system depends on its proper functioning. In the rectum, all unnecessary substances accumulate and then are excreted.
If not working properly, all this waste rots, gathering together and thus poisoning the body. That is why it is extremely important to monitor the he alth of the rectum.
Conventionally, the work of the rectum is divided into static and dynamic. The first is the accumulation and retention of feces and harmful substances. When the excrement is collected in the intestine, it becomes wider, the mucosal folds are stretched. Harmful substances, due to the anal press and tightly compressed walls, fill the entire length of the rectum. The photo above contains information about the direction of their withdrawal. And the spontaneous release of gases and intestinal waste is prevented by the anal sphincter.
Dynamic work is to remove accumulated harmful substances from the human body. The process of bowel movement is called defecation. The moment when it should happen is realized through the nerve endings. It happens that a person has the urge to defecate, and the rectum is actually empty. Such situations occur when a person has a disrupted gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, this indicates the occurrence or development of various diseases.
Defects of the human intestine
Unfortunately, rectal defects develop before birth. The reasons can be a variety of factors, and it makes no sense to list them. Basically, two sections of the intestine are affected - this is the perineum and anus. Most common vices:
- Stenosis (narrowing).
- Cesspool.
- Atresia (infection).
- Fistulas are chronic inflammatory processes.
Birth defects without fistula formation become noticeable after the birth of a baby, during the first day. The cause of this disease is a small intestinal patency. Symptoms of vice are neglect of food, nausea, vomiting and overexcitation.
Anal closure is recognized by the doctor immediately after birth. However, for an accurate diagnosis, examinations are needed. Often this defect is a consequence of the formation of fistulas in the perineum or in the genitourinary system. The main symptoms are the excretion of feces through the vagina. Already based on a certain size, the doctor prescribes treatment methods. Diagnosis of a fistula is made using x-ray studies. This procedure is called "fistulography".
It is performed by a radiologist together with a surgeon. An examination is carried out reporting the presence of an allergic reaction to iodine. Before the procedure, the contents of the fistula are removed with a syringe. The fistulous canal is washed out. Then a catheter is inserted into the fistula, through which a contrast agent (containing iodine) is injected. The volume of radiopaque fluid directly depends on the size of the fistula canal. It must be completely filled with contrastsubstance.
After insertion, the fistula opening is closed with a gauze ball and sealed with a plaster. X-rays are being taken. The radiopaque substance is removed, or it flows out on its own. In some cases, it is acceptable to perform the procedure under anesthesia.
In cases of diagnosing fistulous atresia, the child is immediately sent for surgery. In some situations, surgery is delayed until the age of two. These include vaginal and vestibular fistulas. Until reaching the required age, the child eats in accordance with a special diet, which includes foods that have a laxative effect. And bowel movement occurs through enemas.
Pathology in the form of a narrowing of the rectum is diagnosed with the help of proctography and rectoscopy. For the most part, treatment consists of eating according to diet and bougienage. The latter is the introduction of a flexible or rigid rod into the affected organ in order to stretch the intestine. The introduced tool increases in diameter each time. And thus gradually there is a stretching of the opening of the rectum. The number of treatments varies individually.
Only girls are subject to pathology in the form of a congenital cloaca. This defect looks like this: the urethra, vagina and the entire length of the rectum are combined into a common canal. In women, it is possible to eliminate this pathology only with the help of surgical intervention.
Based on years of statistics,doctors are forced to agree with the fact that any damage to the intestine is vitally dangerous for the human body. Particularly fraught with internal ruptures. Only a timely appeal to a specialist will save a life and will not cause inconvenience in the future.
Symptoms of diseases of the rectum
Each disease is characterized by certain symptoms. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting common signs.
If any of the following symptoms appear, you should urgently consult a specialist:
- Pain in the anal canal.
- Feeling of something foreign in the rectum.
- Discharge from the rectum.
- Bleeding.
- Constipation.
- Incontinence of feces and gases.
- Anal itch.
It is worth noting that some diseases of the rectum tend to develop at first without any symptoms.
Diseases and their treatment
Diseases of the rectum is undoubtedly a very intimate issue, which is appropriate to discuss only with a specialist or a loved one. As mentioned earlier, not paying attention and enduring threatens not only with a complication, but also with a fatal outcome. And timely treatment gives an excellent opportunity for a full recovery.
Common rectal diseases:
- Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectal mucosa. As soon as the disease originated in the human body, symptoms will immediately appear. Signs of proctitis include: diarrhea, pain, false urge to defecate, the presence of mucus and blood streaks in the feces. The causes of the disease are many. The treatment process is based on eliminating the symptoms of proctitis and the cause of its occurrence.
- Prolapse of the rectum. The disease is also known under the name "hernia". It consists in the exit of the rectum beyond the boundaries of the anus. In addition, its fixation is broken. Frequent prolapse of the rectum is accompanied by bleeding. Treatment is exclusively through surgery.
- Anal fissure. Symptoms of the disease are cutting pain during bowel movements, scanty bleeding after defecation. It is quite possible to diagnose an anal fissure when examining the lumen of the rectum. If the disease has passed into the chronic stage, surgical intervention will be required for treatment.
- Polyposis are non-malignant formations located in the lumen of the rectum. The disease does not cause inconvenience to a person, and he simply does not notice it. Polyposis reveals itself in case of injury or reaching large sizes. This is expressed through anal bleeding. Treatment of polyps is surgical removal.
- Coccygodynia - difficult to diagnose, because pain in the rectum is not accompanied by visual evidence of its defeat. Disease activators are injuries and muscle spasms that cause the anus to rise up. During the treatment of coccygodynia, the patient feels psychologicallyuncomfortable, so it involves the presence of a psychotherapist, neurologist or neurosurgeon.
- Hemorrhoids - varicose veins of the rectum, namely in the anus. The two main symptoms of this disease of the rectum are spotting and prolapse of nodes from the anus. Also, in addition to the listed signs of hemorrhoids, there is a feeling of heaviness and the presence of a foreign body in the rectum, itching, burning and pain in the anus, painful bowel movements. The dilated parts of the veins prevent the normal excretion of feces, are injured, thrombosed.
The causes of the disease are varied: laxatives, frequent use of enemas, oral contraceptives, excessive hygiene of the anus, unbalanced diet, anal sex, regular cycling, horses, motorcycles, pregnancy. Often this disease affects people whose professions involve sedentary work, for example, drivers, programmers.
Currently, the treatment of hemorrhoids has many ways. In each individual case, the specialist selects the necessary technique that will treat the disease, as well as minimize pain and inconvenience. However, it is worth noting that a quick and painless healing is possible only in the early stages. Hemorrhoids tend to develop very quickly, and as a result, you will have to lie on the operating table under the surgeon's knife. And then follow the strict rules of the postoperative period.
- Paraproctitis is a purulent inflammatory process formed ontissue surrounding the anal canal. The characteristic features of the disease are sharp pulsating pain in the perineum, seals in the anal part, local redness and fever. Treatment of this disease of the rectum is possible only with the help of a surgical operation. Moreover, medical intervention carried out at the wrong time threatens with generalization of the disease and fever. Chronic paraproctitis is a fistula of the rectum, since the inflammatory process is accompanied by a fistula that breaks through the intestines or skin in the anus. At this stage of the disease, healing is the treatment of the fistula in the acute stage and the surgical removal of it after the inflammatory processes become less active.
- Cancer. The disease itself does not inspire hope, plus everything is extremely dangerous due to the asymptomatic course in the early stages. A person discovers the first symptoms at the moment when the disease has already affected a significant area. Cancer symptoms are pain and feeling of a foreign body in the anal canal. When these signs of the disease are detected, only radical treatment is already possible. Proceeding precisely from this, one should not neglect minor inconveniences in the anus or rectum. Do not delay and see a doctor.
There are still a great many diseases of the rectum. They are much rarer, but this does not mean that they are less dangerous.
